Action Updates

This morning, Alex Pearse (33) suspended himself off a monopole blocking all trains running to and from the Port of Botany. This is the third consecutive day Blockade Australia has shut down this continent’s largest container port.

“Australia is a rigged system doing exactly what it was designed to do: exploit people and extract resources from this continent.”

Alex

The system is not broken, it’s designed to break us. No matter what party, no matter what policies, self-preservation and the protection of the ruling class is what Australia does best. Sustained action that shuts down centres of political and economic power is our best chance of forcing the political change required. Change is necessary for survival. As Australia continues to block climate action, we will Blockade Australia.

“We are facing a climate catastrophe. I have worked in environmental science for 12 years and during that time I have seen no credible action on climate. I am taking direct action because without a halt to business as usual there will be no true change”

Alex

For the second time today, Blockade Australia has stopped trucks at Port Botany. Dom and Helen have blockaded Penrhyn road with two trucks. Dom has climbed atop one, and Helen has locked on to the steering wheel of another. This is a significant economic bottleneck; it is the only access road to Port Botany’s largest terminal. Australia’s design principle is to use everything in its path to gain private wealth and power. Port Botany is a 24/7 operation of relentless, unsustainable growth. It is a prime example of Australia’s priority to maximise exploitation of people and planet in the pursuit of global supply chains. Disrupting it at pinch points where it is most critical, like the roads leading in and out of major container ports, is effective resistance to this project of mass destruction.

Dom, a wildlife carer and preschool teacher, who through their work has experienced harsh drought firsthand said:

“My experience is just a taste of what others are and will continue to experience as this crisis continues. All appropriate action is being blocked by Australia.”

Dom

Helen is a practicing psychologist who recognises that a climate response requires a new approach to politics: “The mass collapse of ecosystems, wars over resources, and extreme weather events are the inevitable conclusion of a system built on greed and exploitation.

“Everything is at stake. Engaging in strategic action like this is our attempt to force the changes necessary for survival while we still have the chance to act”

Helen

This morning, activist Arno (21) is suspended from a steel bipod over the bridge on Sirius road leading into Port of Botany. This structure is tied off to the opposing side of the bridge, which is blocking and choking the flow of traffic in and out of the Port.

Arno has a banner tied to them which reads:

“No Borders, No Nations, Stop Australia’s Operation.”

There are no borders when it comes to climate collapse. This is the second day of action Blockade Australia has taken at the Port of Botany, which is a crucial part of infrastructure to the Australian project.

“Australia is built to exploit and that’s never going to change unless we get in the way. Let’s stop talking to the oppressors nicely.”

This action is taking place on the unceded land of the Bidjigal people. We pay respect to past and present Elders of this community and acknowledge the significance of our actions being in this place where the colony began. Bidjigal and other First Nations people of this continent have resisted colonisation and genocide at the hands of Australia for over 250 years.

Two climate activists stopped movement on two major roads in the Port of Botany this morning. Henry (20) was suspended from a tensegrity tower while Tom (23) was hanging from a monopole.

The 7m high tower, built from bamboo and rope sat blocking Simblist road, a major entry point to the container port. This stopped all trucks from accessing the area.

“If we don’t actively engage in dismantling this system, we are upholding it’s destruction of our climate”

Tom

Tom climbed a 9-metre monopole that had ropes stretching across all lanes of traffic with a banner reading “Less Placards – More Lock-ons.”

“Disrupting points of importance in this system like Port Botany is the climate resistance we require.”

Henry

“We live under this illusion that we can go and elect a new government that cares about the climate crisis and the people”

Blockade Australia took action today on the Country of the Bidjigal People. We acknowledge that all of our activities take place on the continent Bidjigal People call Kamata. We honour the Elders who came before and are with us now.