Latest news with #RisingTide
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'I've been called worse': Kerridge hits back at 'gullible mayor' jibe in Rising Tide debate
ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Newtide Launches Enterprise AI Platform 'RisingTide' for Fuels and Convenience Retail Industry
Data Helm, Agent Harbor and Shipyard enable agentic automation CHARLESTON, S.C., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Newtide today announced its first to market enterprise AI platform, termed RisingTide, specifically focused on the fuels and convenience retail industry. RisingTide's platform, including Data Helm, Agent Harbor and Shipyard, creates an Agentic AI approach that works to redefine how companies deploy digital intelligence right into their business. The RisingTide platform combines intelligent agents, robust data management and AI workflows to accelerate and streamline operations, provide insights, and drive growth. Data Helm is the foundation for data ingestion and management. It captures raw data from diverse sources (e.g., emails, documents, databases or APIs), stores it in a scalable Data Lake, and transforms it into structured formats usable by AI Agents. Agent Harbor enables the creation, training, and deployment of AI agents. These agents perform tasks , generate insights and aid in decision-making. Shipyard is the AI workflow factory that orchestrates automation. It integrates Data Helm's data, Agent Harbor's agents, and external systems into cohesive workflows. Shipyard's drag-and-drop editor and support for 300+ services enable rapid workflow design, testing and deployment. "By equipping every employee with intelligent agents and workflows, the RisingTide AI platform eliminates repetitive, mind-numbing tasks, boosting efficiency, and freeing teams to focus on strategic work while delivering better service. At Newtide, our ambition is to create AI solutions that elevate jobs, empower people, and enable businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing world," said Vlad Collak, Co-Founder and CEO of NewTide. As part of the launch of its enterprise AI platform, Newtide is also unveiling its revised web site at Newtide is an enterprise agentic AI company for the fuels and convenience retail industries that transforms organizational data into real business outcomes using both traditional Machine Learning and Generative AI. Its purpose is to advance humanity through intelligent technology. More information can be found at Media Contact: Laura Varn 843-371-0888 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Newtide
The Advertiser
01-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Community invited to have say on Rising Tide's plans for 2025 climate action
THE community is being invited to have their say on this year's Rising Tide event months out from the November start date. As well as occupying Camp Shortland near Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle East, this year the group is applying to use Hamilton North's Richardson Park, opposite the showground. Riding Tide community organiser Zack Schofield said the change was being made out of respect for the residents of Newcastle East and to ensure people had a safe and stable place to stay. "But we are still planning to hold a big event at Camp Shortland on the Saturday night with free live music, which was a big draw card last year," Mr Schofield said. An estimated 7,000-plus people participated and attended the 2024 event, involving more than 900 volunteers, Mr Schofield said. "Our hope is that it will be much bigger again this year," Mr Schofield said. "It grew substantially from 2023 to 2024, and I think that reflects public opinion both in Newcastle and around Australia about what it's gonna take to tackle the looming transition." The coal industry needs to be taxed more to fund that transition, and that was the group's key message, he said. City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said it was important for the community to have their say on the event. "I know that there are strong views in the community about Rising Tide's People's Blockade and the associated protest activity, so we are seeking clear feedback during the public notice period," Cr Kerridge said. "Councillors will then consider the proposed event after the close of the public notice period. This could include possible camping and activation of Richardson Park, and consideration of a concert in Camp Shortland. "Council intends to consider this matter with several months' notice prior to the planned event to give organisers and the community a level of certainty." Rising Tide is an ambitiously active climate action organisation that is calling for an end to new coal and gas approvals and a 78 per cent tax on coal and gas exports to fund the energy transition. Its plans for 2025 include setting up amusement rides, live performances and live music at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, as well as camping at the Hamilton North site. There have been 13 blockades in the Newcastle Harbour since 2006, with the intent to block the shipping channel given Newcastle Harbour's unique position as the world's largest coal port. The community can have their say by emailing their feedback to events@ from Monday, June 2, until the end of the month. City of Newcastle has formally declared a climate emergency and has committed to the Paris Agreement, and adopted a target of net zero emissions from its operations by 2030. THE community is being invited to have their say on this year's Rising Tide event months out from the November start date. As well as occupying Camp Shortland near Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle East, this year the group is applying to use Hamilton North's Richardson Park, opposite the showground. Riding Tide community organiser Zack Schofield said the change was being made out of respect for the residents of Newcastle East and to ensure people had a safe and stable place to stay. "But we are still planning to hold a big event at Camp Shortland on the Saturday night with free live music, which was a big draw card last year," Mr Schofield said. An estimated 7,000-plus people participated and attended the 2024 event, involving more than 900 volunteers, Mr Schofield said. "Our hope is that it will be much bigger again this year," Mr Schofield said. "It grew substantially from 2023 to 2024, and I think that reflects public opinion both in Newcastle and around Australia about what it's gonna take to tackle the looming transition." The coal industry needs to be taxed more to fund that transition, and that was the group's key message, he said. City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said it was important for the community to have their say on the event. "I know that there are strong views in the community about Rising Tide's People's Blockade and the associated protest activity, so we are seeking clear feedback during the public notice period," Cr Kerridge said. "Councillors will then consider the proposed event after the close of the public notice period. This could include possible camping and activation of Richardson Park, and consideration of a concert in Camp Shortland. "Council intends to consider this matter with several months' notice prior to the planned event to give organisers and the community a level of certainty." Rising Tide is an ambitiously active climate action organisation that is calling for an end to new coal and gas approvals and a 78 per cent tax on coal and gas exports to fund the energy transition. Its plans for 2025 include setting up amusement rides, live performances and live music at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, as well as camping at the Hamilton North site. There have been 13 blockades in the Newcastle Harbour since 2006, with the intent to block the shipping channel given Newcastle Harbour's unique position as the world's largest coal port. The community can have their say by emailing their feedback to events@ from Monday, June 2, until the end of the month. City of Newcastle has formally declared a climate emergency and has committed to the Paris Agreement, and adopted a target of net zero emissions from its operations by 2030. THE community is being invited to have their say on this year's Rising Tide event months out from the November start date. As well as occupying Camp Shortland near Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle East, this year the group is applying to use Hamilton North's Richardson Park, opposite the showground. Riding Tide community organiser Zack Schofield said the change was being made out of respect for the residents of Newcastle East and to ensure people had a safe and stable place to stay. "But we are still planning to hold a big event at Camp Shortland on the Saturday night with free live music, which was a big draw card last year," Mr Schofield said. An estimated 7,000-plus people participated and attended the 2024 event, involving more than 900 volunteers, Mr Schofield said. "Our hope is that it will be much bigger again this year," Mr Schofield said. "It grew substantially from 2023 to 2024, and I think that reflects public opinion both in Newcastle and around Australia about what it's gonna take to tackle the looming transition." The coal industry needs to be taxed more to fund that transition, and that was the group's key message, he said. City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said it was important for the community to have their say on the event. "I know that there are strong views in the community about Rising Tide's People's Blockade and the associated protest activity, so we are seeking clear feedback during the public notice period," Cr Kerridge said. "Councillors will then consider the proposed event after the close of the public notice period. This could include possible camping and activation of Richardson Park, and consideration of a concert in Camp Shortland. "Council intends to consider this matter with several months' notice prior to the planned event to give organisers and the community a level of certainty." Rising Tide is an ambitiously active climate action organisation that is calling for an end to new coal and gas approvals and a 78 per cent tax on coal and gas exports to fund the energy transition. Its plans for 2025 include setting up amusement rides, live performances and live music at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, as well as camping at the Hamilton North site. There have been 13 blockades in the Newcastle Harbour since 2006, with the intent to block the shipping channel given Newcastle Harbour's unique position as the world's largest coal port. The community can have their say by emailing their feedback to events@ from Monday, June 2, until the end of the month. City of Newcastle has formally declared a climate emergency and has committed to the Paris Agreement, and adopted a target of net zero emissions from its operations by 2030. THE community is being invited to have their say on this year's Rising Tide event months out from the November start date. As well as occupying Camp Shortland near Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle East, this year the group is applying to use Hamilton North's Richardson Park, opposite the showground. Riding Tide community organiser Zack Schofield said the change was being made out of respect for the residents of Newcastle East and to ensure people had a safe and stable place to stay. "But we are still planning to hold a big event at Camp Shortland on the Saturday night with free live music, which was a big draw card last year," Mr Schofield said. An estimated 7,000-plus people participated and attended the 2024 event, involving more than 900 volunteers, Mr Schofield said. "Our hope is that it will be much bigger again this year," Mr Schofield said. "It grew substantially from 2023 to 2024, and I think that reflects public opinion both in Newcastle and around Australia about what it's gonna take to tackle the looming transition." The coal industry needs to be taxed more to fund that transition, and that was the group's key message, he said. City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said it was important for the community to have their say on the event. "I know that there are strong views in the community about Rising Tide's People's Blockade and the associated protest activity, so we are seeking clear feedback during the public notice period," Cr Kerridge said. "Councillors will then consider the proposed event after the close of the public notice period. This could include possible camping and activation of Richardson Park, and consideration of a concert in Camp Shortland. "Council intends to consider this matter with several months' notice prior to the planned event to give organisers and the community a level of certainty." Rising Tide is an ambitiously active climate action organisation that is calling for an end to new coal and gas approvals and a 78 per cent tax on coal and gas exports to fund the energy transition. Its plans for 2025 include setting up amusement rides, live performances and live music at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, as well as camping at the Hamilton North site. There have been 13 blockades in the Newcastle Harbour since 2006, with the intent to block the shipping channel given Newcastle Harbour's unique position as the world's largest coal port. The community can have their say by emailing their feedback to events@ from Monday, June 2, until the end of the month. City of Newcastle has formally declared a climate emergency and has committed to the Paris Agreement, and adopted a target of net zero emissions from its operations by 2030.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why are environmental protesters being criminalized?
Why are environmental protesters being criminalized? (AP) Climate and environmental protest is rising in line with increasing global temperatures. But new draconian penalties are putting people who rally against climate pollution in jail. In late 2024, in the industrial city of Newcastle on Australia's east coast, a flotilla of kayaks paddled into the harbor shipping lane to block a massive coal ship from docking. The "climate defenders" gathered by activist group Rising Tide aimed to temporarily blockade the world's largest coal port and bring attention to a climate crisis caused primarily by burning fossil fuels. It also called for an end to new coal, oil and gas projects. The New South Wales ( NSW ) state government and the police had attempted to stop the blockade in the courts. But after a judge lifted an order creating an exclusion zone at the port, the protesters held up the coal tanker for over 30 hours. Some 170 activists were arrested for alleged crimes, including the disruption of a major facility. Most could face fines of up to 22,000 Australian dollars (€12,350) or two years in jail, under a 2022 anti-protest bill. The law criminalizes public assemblies that disrupt major public infrastructure such as roads, tunnels and ports, and was a response to past blockades by climate protesters. The then-NSW attorney general said that prior laws did not sufficiently penalize the "major inconvenience that incidents like these cause to the community," along with "severe financial impacts" due to "lost productivity." Zack Schofield , a spokesperson for Rising Tide who was also arrested, said the NSW law is being "used to target climate protesters almost exclusively." Australia is getting tough A young climate activist who blockaded a lane on Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2022 was the first to be charged under the NSW law and was initially given a 15-month sentence. Sue Higginson , a member for the Greens Party in NSW, called the imprisonment of the nonviolent protester "undemocratic," adding that people should not be punished for "engaging in legitimate forms of dissent and civil disobedience." One in five climate and environment protesters are arrested in Australia, which is the highest rate in the democratic world, according to a 2024 study on climate protest criminalization by researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK. Harsh anti-protest laws have been passed across the country, the world's third-largest fossil fuel exporter. That includes the island state of Tasmania, where protests at sites of old growth forest logging can incur a $13,000 fine or a two-year prison sentence. Climate protest crackdown goes global Similar punitive anti-protest laws have been enacted across Europe and US. In the UK, recent amendments to the Public Order Act give police increased power to act on "serious disruption" from public protests. Five Just Stop Oil activists were charged under the revised act for organizing the blockade of a UK motorway in 2022. Charged with conspiracy to create a "public nuisance," the protesters were sentenced to prison terms of between four and five years in 2024 before their sentences were slightly reduced. Said to be the longest sentences for a nonviolent protest in British legal history, they were almost on par with the five-year maximum sentence for aggravated assault, noted Global Witness, UK-based campaigners monitoring the criminalization and killing of environmental defenders. The UK law has been used against climate and environmental protest 95% of the time, said Oscar Berglund, a senior lecturer in international public and social policy at the University of Bristol, who co-authored the 2024 report "Criminalisation and Repression of Climate and Environmental Protests." In Germany, members of the nonviolent climate action group Letzte Generation (Last Generation) were charged in May 2024 with "forming a criminal organization," said Berglund. The law is typically used against mafia organizations, and has never been applied to a nonviolent activist group, said the researcher. Meanwhile, anti-terror laws and military action have been used to suppress climate actions, including a blockade of a highway in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2023. This was in contravention of statute law, according to an Amnesty International study that described a "sweeping pattern of systematic attacks" that "undermine peaceful protest" across 21 European countries. Protesters face crippling litigation cases In addition to anti-protest laws passed by governments, climate activists are facing massive compensation claims from fossil fuel companies for disruptions caused during actions. Known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), the anti-protest litigation peaked in March 2025 when a jury in the US state of North Dakota found Greenpeace liable for more than $660 million (€609 million) for its role in an oil pipeline blockade. The action was bought by oil major, Energy Transfer, which has faced years-long resistance to an oil pipeline running through North Dakota — especially from the local Sioux Tribe, who set up a protest at the Standing Rock Reservation that gained international attention. "It's part of a renewed push by corporations to weaponize our courts to silence dissent," said Sushma Raman , interim executive director of Greenpeace USA, of the compensation that could force the organization to shut down its US operations. Beyond the threat of arrest and litigation, some 2,000 environmental defenders were murdered between 2012 and 2023, with 401 cases reported in Brazil and 298 in the Philippines, according to the Bristol University report on the criminalization and suppression of climate and environmental protest. Are laws a tool of the fossil fuel industry? "You don't have to dig very deep," said Berglund of the influence of oil, gas and coal interests on harsher anti-protest laws and policing. "The protesters are being targeted because they are a threat to fossil fuel profits." He added that in the UK, anti-protest laws were drafted in consultation with a right-wing think tank, Policy Exchange, which has openly promoted the oil and gas lobby. But for Luke McNamara, a professor at the Faculty of Law and Justice at the University of New South Wales, these "punitive actions" also reflect "growing intolerance" for the disruption caused by climate protesters resorting to peaceful civil disobedience. "Australian politicians regularly share their great affection for the right to protest," he said in reference to new local anti-protest laws. However, this principle "tends to crumble each time an innovative climate protest garners attention," he told DW. Back in Newcastle, some 130 Rising Tide protesters who pleaded not guilty remain uncertain about the severity of potential fines or imprisonment when their trial begins later this month. "If the penalties are disproportionate, we will appeal," said spokesperson Zack Schofield of what could become a test case for judicial willingness to criminalize environmental dissent in Australia — and beyond. For Berglund, such prosecutions confirm the increasing impact of the climate movement. "Protesters are targeted when they are successful," he said.
DW
18-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Why are environmental protesters being criminalized? – DW – 05/18/2025
Climate and environmental protest is rising in line with increasing global temperatures. But new draconian penalties are putting people who rally against climate pollution in jail. In late 2024, in the industrial city of Newcastle on Australia's east coast, a flotilla of kayaks paddled into the harbor shipping lane to block a massive coal ship from docking. The "climate defenders" gathered by activist group Rising Tide aimed to temporarily blockade the world's largest coal port and bring attention to a climate crisis caused primarily by burning fossil fuels. It also called for an end to new coal, oil and gas projects. The New South Wales (NSW) state government and the police had attempted to stop the blockade in the courts. But after a judge lifted an order creating an exclusion zone at the port, the protesters held up the coal tanker for over 30 hours. Some 170 activists were arrested for alleged crimes, including the disruption of a major facility. Most could face fines of up to 22,000 Australian dollars (€12,350) or two years in jail, under a 2022 anti-protest bill. Climate protesters took to the water to blockade the Newcastle coal port, the world's largest, late last year Image:The law criminalizes public assemblies that disrupt major public infrastructure such as roads, tunnels and ports, and was a response to past blockades by climate protesters. The then-NSW attorney general said that prior laws did not sufficiently penalize the "major inconvenience that incidents like these cause to the community," along with "severe financial impacts" due to "lost productivity." Zack Schofield, a spokesperson for Rising Tide who was also arrested, said the NSW law is being "used to target climate protesters almost exclusively." Australia is getting tough A young climate activist who blockaded a lane on Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2022 was the first to be charged under the NSW law and was initially given a 15-month sentence. Sue Higginson, a member for the Greens Party in NSW, called the imprisonment of the nonviolent protester "undemocratic," adding that people should not be punished for "engaging in legitimate forms of dissent and civil disobedience." One in five climate and environment protesters are arrested in Australia, which is the highest rate in the democratic world, according to a 2024 study on climate protest criminalization by researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK. Harsh anti-protest laws have been passed across the country, the world's third-largest fossil fuel exporter. That includes the island state of Tasmania, where protests at sites of old growth forest logging can incur a $13,000 fine or a two-year prison sentence. Climate protest crackdown goes global Similar punitive anti-protest laws have been enacted across Europe and US. In the UK, recent amendments to the Public Order Act give police increased power to act on "serious disruption" from public protests. Five Just Stop Oil activists were charged under the revised act for organizing the blockade of a UK motorway in 2022. Charged with conspiracy to create a "public nuisance," the protesters were sentenced to prison terms of between four and five years in 2024 before their sentences were slightly reduced. Said to be the longest sentences for a nonviolent protest in British legal history, they were almost on par with the five-year maximum sentence for aggravated assault, noted Global Witness, UK-based campaigners monitoring the criminalization and killing of environmental defenders. Just Stop Oil climate activists were arrested in 2024 after cutting through a fence at a London airport and spray-painting a private jet Image: Just Stop Oil via AP/picture alliance The UK law has been used against climate and environmental protest 95% of the time, said Oscar Berglund, a senior lecturer in international public and social policy at the University of Bristol, who co-authored the 2024 report "Criminalisation and Repression of Climate and Environmental Protests." In Germany, members of the nonviolent climate action group Letzte Generation (Last Generation) were charged in May 2024 with "forming a criminal organization," said Berglund. The law is typically used against mafia organizations, and has never been applied to a nonviolent activist group, said the researcher. Meanwhile, anti-terror laws and military action have been used to suppress climate actions, including a blockade of a highway in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2023. This was in contravention of statute law, according to an Amnesty International study that described a "sweeping pattern of systematic attacks" that "undermine peaceful protest" across 21 European countries. Dutch police employed high-powered water cannons and arrested around 700 climate activists who blocked a highway in The Hague to protest fossil fuel subsidies Image: James Petermeier/ZUMA/picture alliance Protesters face crippling litigation cases In addition to anti-protest laws passed by governments, climate activists are facing massive compensation claims from fossil fuel companies for disruptions caused during actions. Known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), the anti-protest litigation peaked in March 2025 when a jury in the US state of North Dakota found Greenpeace liable for more than $660 million (€609 million) for its role in an oil pipeline blockade. The action was bought by oil major, Energy Transfer, which has faced years-long resistance to an oil pipeline running through North Dakota — especially from the local Sioux Tribe, who set up a protest at the Standing Rock Reservation that gained international attention. "It's part of a renewed push by corporations to weaponize our courts to silence dissent," said Sushma Raman, interim executive director of Greenpeace USA, of the compensation that could force the organization to shut down its US operations. Beyond the threat of arrest and litigation, some 2,000 environmental defenders were murdered between 2012 and 2023, with 401 cases reported in Brazil and 298 in the Philippines, according to the Bristol University report on the criminalization and suppression of climate and environmental protest. Greenpeace faces large fine for pipeline protests To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Are laws a tool of the fossil fuel industry? "You don't have to dig very deep," said Berglund of the influence of oil, gas and coal interests on harsher anti-protest laws and policing. "The protesters are being targeted because they are a threat to fossil fuel profits." He added that in the UK, anti-protest laws were drafted in consultation with a right-wing think tank, Policy Exchange, which has openly promoted the oil and gas lobby. But for Luke McNamara, a professor at the Faculty of Law and Justice at the University of New South Wales, these "punitive actions" also reflect "growing intolerance" for the disruption caused by climate protesters resorting to peaceful civil disobedience. "Australian politicians regularly share their great affection for the right to protest," he said in reference to new local anti-protest laws. However, this principle "tends to crumble each time an innovative climate protest garners attention," he told DW. Climate protest halts Frankfurt flights To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Back in Newcastle, some 130 Rising Tide protesters who pleaded not guilty remain uncertain about the severity of potential fines or imprisonment when their trial begins later this month. "If the penalties are disproportionate, we will appeal," said spokesperson Zack Schofield of what could become a test case for judicial willingness to criminalize environmental dissent in Australia — and beyond. For Berglund, such prosecutions confirm the increasing impact of the climate movement. "Protesters are targeted when they are successful," he said. Edited by: Jennifer Collins
