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Climate activist shuts down Port Botany | 23 Mar 2022 | Media Releases

Tom (23) has suspended himself from pole and rope structures to block road access points to the Port of Botany in Sydney.

Tom is from ‘Blockade Australia’, a direct action network of climate activists. He says he will continue to block the Port of Botany until removed by police.

Port Botany was the site of first contact when Europeans colonised this continent in 1788. It is now one of Australia’s largest container ports, with 1600 ships and 2.5 million containers processed per year. It also specialises in bulk liquid imports like petroleum and natural gas.

Tom is currently suspended 9m above the ground from a steel monopole, He is blocking Friendship road, the only exit out of the container port. A banner hangs from the pole reading ‘Less placards, more lock ons’. Together the two activists are blocking all road entry and exit points to a major container port.

“For decades Australia has blocked meaningful climate action to protect the profits of extractive and exploiting industries.” Tom said “Climate campaigning has failed. Methods such as petitions, rallies and lobbying have not worked. These methods are a part of the illusion that are able to vote in a government that cares about the climate crisis. This is false.”

“There’s no chance for climate justice within a system based on exploitation and oppression. Organised nonviolent resistance is our only real chance to  create the change required. That is why I’m taking this action today”.

Last year in November, we saw Blockade Australia shut down the Newcastle Coal Port for 11 consecutive days, with 27 arrests made during this period: https://www.facebook.com/BlockadeAustralia/posts/295652705763945

Blockade Australia is calling on everyone to join them for a week of disruptive action where similar tactics will be used to shut down Sydney, starting on the 27th of June

Facebook Livestream: https://fb.watch/bUzUmjfx2l/

Blockade Australia shuts down Port Botany for the second day | | Media Releases
Blockade Australia has shut down the Port of Botany for the second day in a row. “Port Botany is a crucial piece of infrastructure for the Australian project.” said Arno (21), who is suspended on a steel bipod structure hanging over a bridge on Sirius road.

The structure is tied off across to the other side of the bridge, blocking all lanes of traffic. Arno will continue to blockade the bridge for as long as they can.The Port operates on the unceded lands of the Bidjigal people, who have been resisting the Australian colony since European arrival and subsequent invasion on the shores of Botany bay over 250 years ago.
“Australia is built to exploit and that’s never going to change unless we get in the way.” Arno says.
Below Arno’s structure hangs a banner which reads, “No Borders, No Nations, Stop Australia’s Operation”.

The science is clear that the window is closing for action on climate. 
“Let’s stop talking to the oppressors nicely. Come to Sydney on June 27, bring your friends and #BlockadeAustralia with us. Anyone can get involved in resisting climate inaction, and we need you.”

Livestream 1: https://fb.watch/bW1hPC_w5b/
Livestream 2: https://fb.watch/bW1er0Ptep/

Media drive (photos & video): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qGA26qkyxcd7oV1ThC1eOwaf2sJDbsJL?usp=sharing
Simultaneous shut down of Port Botany’s major roads | 22 Mar 2022 | Action Updates | Photos | Port Botany

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.

A case for sustained direct action | 19 Nov 2021 | Action Updates | Newcastle: 2021 | Photos

After 11 consecutive days and over 20 actions, Blockade Australia’s mobilisation against the biggest coal port in the world has come to a close. For 65+ hours infrastructure was blocked with 28 people arrested. Thank you to everyone who watched, shared and participated in Blockade Australia’s Newcastle mobilisation.

The past two weeks have shown that it’s possible to cause serious disruption to the Australian system, if motivated individuals unite in a coordinated way. The police came down on us through a Strike Force, excessive charges, helicopter patrols, and raids on unconnected homes and offices. With this expected state repression we continued to pull off actions around them, showing that we will not be intimidated by their flexes that guard Australia and property over all life on earth.

If you were inspired by this mobilisation, transform that into action by committing to the Sydney Dates: 27th of June – 2nd July. Through collective power and strategic direct action we can force Australia to deal with climate change. Simply ignoring it and blocking climate action will not continue under our watch.

Follow Blockade Australia and if you give a damn about your future make sure you plan, take time off, organise yourself and be in Sydney in 2022

Two activists lock on | 18 Nov 2021 | Action Updates | Newcastle: 2021 | Photos

Jacinta and Kirsten entered at dawn; with Kirsten disabling machinery and Jacinta locking on to a structure at ground level. This is the 20th action in 11 days halting operations at the Newcastle port.

“The problem is that our system is based on exponential growth, that revolves around money and power which is unjust and unequal. All life forms suffer because of the human actions of the corrupt and exploitative systems of our government and multinationals. I’ve come here to do direct actions because I feel it is one of the ways for me to stand up for what is right”

Jacinta

“I’m a law student and it is upholding the duty of care laid down in Sharma v Minister for Environment to stop coal ports fuelling the CO2 emissions that cause climate change. In July this year the Sharma case found that the Minister has a duty to take reasonable care… to avoid causing personal injury or death… arising from emissions of carbon dioxide into the Earth’s atmosphere”.

Kirsten
Second time today: No more coal | 17 Nov 2021 | Action Updates | Newcastle: 2021 | Photos

For the second time today, activists have shut down the World’s Biggest Coal Port in Newcastle as part of disruptions against the port that have been taking place since last Monday. Newcastle local Quinn (24), has locked on to infrastructure. Clancy (20) is dangling above piles of coal.

The pair have hung a banner that says
“Australia: climate thug”.

“Resistance is fertile and is effective when we come together. I’m calling for people to join blockade Australia next year from June 27th in Sydney the economic and political heart of this beast. The resistance to inaction on climate is growing and it needs you.”

Australia is a racket. Getting in the way of of this empire of destruction and desecration is the only appropriate action at this point in history. Action like this is our best chance at prying power away from the dominating class and create space for real solutions to the climate collapse.

Activists hang off coal machines | | Action Updates | Newcastle: 2021 | Photos

Zianna and Hannah have shut down Newcastle coal port, abseiling from coal handling machinery, known as stacker-reclaimers. The port cannot resume operations until the pair are removed by police. This is the tenth consecutive day of disruption to Newcastle coal port and its supply rail network!

“The institutions and corporations of Australia are designed to work together to exploit natural and human resources. Climate collapse will be the last result of this system.”

“We are getting in the way of Australia, stopping the machine that has set our homes on fire and drained our rivers, that promises mass starvation and water wars.”

Hannah and Zia

Resist Australia where it matters. See you in June.

PORT SHUT DOWN #2 in ONE DAY | | Action Updates | Newcastle: 2021 | Photos

Isabelle and Callum, at 22 and 25, are two young people doing their best to fight for their lives. They entered Newcastle Coal Port, clambering over coal piles as big as 110 million tonnes, hit emergency stop buttons, and clambered up a large stacker reclaimer and hung off ropes.

“Australia does not support the majority of the population, there’s just a few greedy duds at the top that push the exploitation machine. I oppose Australia. I oppose this militarized economy that murders both onshore and offshore”

Izabelle

The Worimi and Awabakal people nutured this land for centuries. Australia is a leading player in the climate crisis. They are pushing life support systems to breaking point. Callum urges viewers to act:

“If you believe we are in a state of climate emergency, do whatever you can.”