This was an exceptionally busy week for Nannas with three fossil fuel protests on successive days in Sydney and a court case involving Nannas in Newcastle. With a growing number of Nannas the load is spread with a different group rallying for each event.
Minister for the Environment
Sydney Nannas were outside Minister Plibersek’s office on Monday with GetUp members who delivered a petition to her demanding she listen to Traditional Owners and use her powers to protect Larrakia sacred sites by blocking the Middle Arm Gas Hub near Darwin.
Nannas noticed a guy putting up a huge poster on a wall opposite Tanya Plibersek’s office and it was a message close to our hearts. Rescue our rivers before it’s too late – deliver Labor’s promise to save the Murray Darling. Environment groups from 4 states speaking together – NSW, Vic, Queensland and South Australia!
Nannas say keep your promise to buy water back – the next drought is coming!
Empire Energy AGM
It was an early start for Nannas on Tuesday outside Empire Energy’s AGM at the request of Traditional Owners from across the Beetaloo Basin. Empire Energy is one of three gas companies wanting to frack the Beetaloo for shale gas. There’s no way executives and shareholders at the Empire Energy AGM today missed the message from activists gathered outside: fracking the Beetaloo gas basin is just not on! Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor read a statement from the Traditional Owners, who strongly oppose Empire’s fracking plan. Other speakers were Ale from 350.org.au and Nic from Lock the Gate who called out Empire’s threats to First Nations culture, water resources and the climate.
NAB lending to fossil fuels
A Market Forces report on lending to fossil fuels was released on Wednesday showing how NAB is winning the race to the bottom – lending more to coal projects than the other big banks. Even to environmental serial offenders Whitehaven! How dare NAB increase their lending to coal!?
Nannas joined the noisy throng at NAB HQ in Sydney calling them out for bumping up their funding of the climate emergency and environmental crisis. You too can take action by telling your bank: stop financing companies expanding coal, oil and gas!
Newcastle Court
Three Nannas were convicted on two charges on Thursday June 1st for taking part in a peaceful No New Coal protest organised by Rising Tide in Newcastle in April. Altogether there were 51 people aged from 19 to 83 charged for offences related to stopping a coal train, and trespassing on enclosed lands. The protestors dropped a banner from a stationary train which read “Survival guide for humanity: No New Coal”. A gaggle of Nannas from across NSW were there in support. Five Nannas were arrested and charged but two Nannas have yet to appear before the court.
The 31 protesters who had pleaded guilty were convicted and fined. The magistrate reduced the fines for students and pensioners and although the EDO defence argued that as these were first time offenders a bond would be appropriate especially for young people the magistrate did not agree.
For most it was their first conviction and some of the younger people were visibly shaken and distressed but there was lots of support. Those who are pleading not guilty are still to have their cases heard.
“If they want to create radicals, they have,” said one Nanna. “Most did not expect to be arrested as they were not given an option to leave, and a person tried earlier in the week for the same offenses had got off on a good behaviour bond.”
