Today saw just over 40 people kayak from John Follent Park in Tweed Heads to Faux Park in South Tweed, before walking close to a one km with their kayaks to the Labor Member for Richmond’s Office to demand an end to new fossil fuel projects.
The action was part of the Rising Tide Climate Defenders that saw around 3,000 people gather in Newcastle in November last year as part of a 32-hour blockade to demand action on climate change from the government.
‘This included 20 people from the Northern Rivers. After the protest deadline expired, more than 100 people were arrested for continuing to blockade the coal port,’ explained a spokesperson for Rising Tide Northern Rivers.
‘Today’s action is the first in a Rising Tide national tour, which aims to build momentum for the upcoming November 2024 People’s Blockade.’
The Rising Tide climate defenders left a letter under the door calling on Justine Elliot, the Member for Richmond, to support their demands for:
- Immediately cancel all new fossil fuel projects
- Tax fossil fuel export profits at 75 per cent to fund community and industrial transition, and pay for climate loss and damage
- End all coal exports from Newcastle – the world’s largest coal port – by 2030
‘We are taking action today, in Tweed Heads, to draw attention to our local members’ inaction on climate change,’ Monique, from Murwillumbah told The Echo.
‘We call on our Australian government to take action on our demands, and until they do Rising Tide will continue to build a mass movement to take on the fossil fuel industry if our government won’t.’
Rising Tide Northern Rivers are holding ongoing training, education and workshops, and are calling on the Northern Rivers community to join the movement!
MJ, from Bilambil said that, ‘although, the Labor Member for Richmond locked the doors on their community again, the Rising Tide climate defenders left another letter under the door calling on the Member to support our community’s demands.’
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