Turning the Ship, the new Rising Tide film about last November’s People’s Blockade of Newcastle coal port was launched on July 3 by 300 people.
The film highlights the well-attended protest calling for an end to new coal mines and demanding coal exports be phased out. It documents the heroic actions of ordinary people standing up against the fossil fuel corporate giants and the unsuccessful efforts of New South Wales Police and Labor to shut it down last year.
It has already been launched in Muloobinba/Newcastle, Ngunnawal/Canberra, Magan-djin/Brisbane, Castlemaine/Central Victoria and Naarm/Mebourne.
Turning the Ship follows the journey of Emily, a Muloobinba/Newcastle mother, who discovered climate change activism and went to the blockade. She was one of those arrested, after earlier resolving it would not something she would do. She came to realise that she needed to take action on behalf of her children.
Turning the Ship also shows the collaborative effort involved in the organisation and conduct of the blockade camp, located in a park near the entrance to Newcastle Port on the Hunter River.
It features the protest vessels on the water — kayaks, rafts, a Greenpeace yacht and other boats.
More than 7000 people, from across the country, joined last year’s blockade and more than 170 people were arrested; many are pleading not guilty in court in October.
Introducing the film, Rising Tide Sydney coordinator Zack Schofield said the struggle to stop coal being shipped out of Muloobinba was critical.
Schofield, who was arrested at the June 27 protest against SEC Plating in Western Sydney, also stressed the need for solidarity between the climate movement and anti-colonial struggles here and in Palestine.
A panel of activists outlined their experiences helping organise and participate in the blockade. Rising Tide Sydney is organising an activist camp over August 15-17 at Addison Road Community Centre aimed at building skills and relationships for movement power.
[To get involved in the 2025 Blockade, November 27—December 2, which will include workshops, training and forums, click here.]