“If the Federal government won’t take on the fossil fuel industry, we will”
Rising Tide’s national tour coming to Sydney with a message to Prime Minister Albanese
Former Socceroo and human rights activist Craig Foster will urge the Federal government to show a red card to fossil fuel companies at the Sydney Splash, a people’s climate assembly called by grassroots climate defenders Rising Tide on Saturday July 6th at the NSW Teachers Federation building at 23-33 Mary St, Surry Hills from 3.00-5.30pm.
On social media recently Foster took aim at the Coalition’s plans for nuclear energy, calling them “an attempt to delay action”.
“We should be having a conversation about the fossil fuel industry paying for the energy transition, not ordinary Australians” wrote Foster on X/Twitter – and he’ll be taking a similar message to the Sydney Splash.
Other speakers joining Foster at the Teachers Federation Auditorium on July 6th include First Nations hip-hop artist Dobby, Director of the Australia Institute's Climate & Energy program Polly Hemming, and coal miner Grant Howard.
Howard has worked in the coal industry for 43 years, the last 20 of them in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland. “Some people find it contradictory that a coal miner still employed in the industry would promote the end of new coal projects, the idea of transition and a renewable energy future” says Howard, “it’s difficult for me to call coal out, but I want my fellow mineworkers to be part of the conversation”.
Yesterday 12 Rising Tide climate defenders glued themselves to the foyer in Parliament House, Canberra, holding a banner saying “Albo: Stick with climate action, not new coal and gas”. Police escorted them from the building but no arrests were made.
This Sunday 7th July, a flotilla of kayaks will paddle across Sydney Harbour to deliver a further message to Prime Minister Albanese at Kirribilli House – a massive scroll with the signatures of thousands of Australians who’ve pledged to join a campaign of sustained, nonviolent civil resistance to end coal exports from Newcastle by 2030.
“We’re inviting everyday people who are ready to take real action against the fossil fuel industry to join us” says Newcastle law student and Splash organiser Zach Schofield. Last November 3000 people converged on Newcastle, the world’s biggest coal export port, stopping coal ships for 32 hours, and attracting national and international media attention. This year Rising Tide is planning a bigger and longer blockade.
“If the government won’t take on the fossil fuel industry, we will” says Schofield, “The People’s Climate Assembly is a great way for all of us to come together and realise we’re not alone, there are many of us who feel the same way and are prepared to take action for a better future”.
People’s Climate Assembly
Where: NSW Teachers Federation building at 23-33 Mary St, Surry Hills
When: Saturday July 6th from 3.00-5.30pm.
What: Speaking event with Craig Foster, Dobby, Polly Hemming and Grant Howard.
Kayak Flotilla to Kirribilli
Where: Kayaks depart Man O’War steps (public wharf near Opera House)
When: Sunday July 7th - flotilla departing at approx. 8.45am and arriving to deliver scroll at Kirribilli at approx 9.15am
What: Kayak flotilla crossing Sydney Harbour to deliver a scroll to Kirribilli House with thousands of signatures from Australians who want an end to the government support of the fossil fuel industry.
Spokesperson: Zach Schofield 0427 449 696
Media enquiries: Tom Morton 0402 610 656
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/rising-tide-tour-the-sydney-sp/479661731156344/
Contact details:
Media enquiries: Tom Morton 0402 610 656