Saturday 29 November: A big gathering of Knitting Nannas, singing, swimming, paddling, dancing with some taken into custody and then released.
Day 3 of the Protestival started with an article in the Newcastle Herald with a highlighted quote from Nanna Marie “I think what we’ve learnt is that we’ve been far too bloody nice,” she said.
First Nations people set the scene this morning for a ritual to express our deep sadness about the algal bloom tragedy in South Australia.
About 300 people gathered on Horseshoe Beach in solidarity with the South Australian Rising Tide contingent. People from the Galwa area shared their experiences and feelings about the destruction of the climate driven disaster. There was a paddle out for the ocean and a walk back to the camp singing for coal to be kept in the ground.
Nannas met up for a hurried meeting and photograph. To get us started we sang ‘These Gates are Made for Locking’ and happily stomped all over a Santos sign.
The threat of 35-55km/h winds forced us to pack down our gazebos early.
Rising Tide supporters from different parts of the country were interested to find out more about the Santos gas project in the Pilliga, and we managed to get four submissions objecting to the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline before we had to take the gazebo down. We were pleased to read in The Land newspaper today that NSW Farmers acting Chief executive officer Mike Guerin is engaging senior legal council in a ramp up of opposition to Santos Narrabri Gas Project.
Kayaks were launched today even though the windspeed was 35kms plus. Nannas in a dinghy managed to breach the 100 metre exclusion zone in an exciting back and forth action with police boats. The Nannas were taken into custody and driven to Carrington police station and released without charge. The driver of their boat was charged however, as were a group of swimmers and kayakers arrested in the same action. The crowd on the beach cheered their support when the approaching giant coal ship was turned around. Shortly later the Harbour Master decided to close the port and no more ships came for the rest of the day.
Police charge 11 protesters after climate flotilla prevents coal ship from entering Newcastle harbour (The Guardian)
Here’s what a day with Nanna Wendy at the People’s Blockade looks like: Arriving to a quietish time – singing already happening and kayaks at the ready. Nannas galore!!! More singing, this time showing Santos what we think of them. Welcome to Country, and traditional Torres Strait dance. Kayak launching! Party on the beach!! Workshops (like, a lot to choose from!!l). Music Music Music – in this clip, @dustband_ @tjaka_music and @its_the_herd And don’t forget dancing – Nanna Eury with Civil Discobedience, and then EVERYONE with them later!!
The Red Rebels moved silently and dramatically through the crowd from the Park to the beach.
Nanna Catherine out on the water for a paddle.
Nannas decided to vox pop and ask protestees, ‘what brought you here to Rising Tide?’
What a day!!! On the go from 6am and still disco dancing at 7pm.
