The Rising Tide Blockade is over for 2024 and what a week it has been! New records have been set for the number of people attending events, the number of arrestees, and the best media coverage ever. Watch the premier performance of the Knitting Nannas Climate Circus.
Canberra Wave
Rising Tide hit the road for the Canberra Wave on Tuesday. Unfortunately rain dampened proceedings on Wednesday but it did not deter hundreds of Rising Tide supporters from turning up at Parliament House and voicing their anger at the government for continuing to approve coal and gas projects in the hottest year on record.
Rising Tide climate defenders disrupted parliament by sitting in the foyer because the climate crisis is disrupting our communities with fires, floods and extreme weather. This resulted in around thirty people, including Knitting Nannas, being banned from Parliament House precinct for three months.
A Rising Tide banner was dropped from a gallery in the foyer of Parliament House and was quickly removed.
Protesters also occupied the road around Parliament House for fifty minutes, sitting on the road, some in kayaks. More than twenty people were arrested.
Wrap Up
The yellow N of NEW is made up of Knitting Nannas from all over Australia.
Rising Tide reported that over 7,000 people attended events over eight days on Awabakal and Worimi lands and waters, in Muloobinba/Newcastle.
People power forced a coal ship that was going to enter the port to turn around. A continuous flotilla was on the water for a record 51 hours.
With 170 people arrested this was the largest civil disobedience action for climate in Australia.
The national media coverage was extensive and mostly positive, and it made global news. The fabulous images of so many kayaks on sparkling blue water were irresistible to broadcasters.
Over 1,000 volunteers helped to make this event a success. The spokescouncil kept people informed and safe, within a democratic framework.
The organisers deserve our highest praise.
Thank you Rising Tide and to the Mayor of Newcastle, Dr Ross Kerridge, for allowing the event to proceed.
Knitting Nanna Climate Circus
Sydney Knitting Nannas and Rosie from Lismore performed in the Climate Circus with ringmaster Bernie, the horse Denial and it’s rider Barnaby, Tanya the juggler, Albo the magician and his beautiful assistant, the nuclear lion and its tamer and tightrope walkers. Here’s the video of the whole performance…….