In November 2024, ahead of the People’s Blockade of the Port of Newcastle organised by Rising Tide, a battle over the right to protest unfolded. On one side was New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns, attempting to prevent the mass civil disobedience, using anti-democratic laws. On the other side were thousands of protesters ready to shut off the world’s largest coal port, demanding an end to coal exports from Newcastle by 2030 and the cancellation all new fossil fuel projects. As the battle played out, a coal ship was turned around and 173 people arrested under the Crimes and Marine Safety Act.
In August, Rising Tide had a win when the police withdrew all charges against 125 of these protesters. Each faced two anti-protest charges and a $22,000 fine or two years jail. Three still have charges outstanding.
Criminalising protest is a form of state intimidation. But those arrested, fortified by the solidarity of a movement standing strong, refused to be bullied.
Representing most of the arrestees was Climate Defenders Australia (CDA), a legal service that protects frontline environmental and climate defenders. At the jubilant press conference, Julia Grix from CDA said, “Australia leads the world for arresting climate protesters. That statistic alone is alarming, but it captures nothing of the long, anxious road that follows for those who then have to navigate the criminal justice system. Here, more than 100 people have spent almost two years waiting for justice.” We congratulate them.
Many other activists, who should never have been arrested, still have charges looming. Prominent among them are Melbourne’s Zelda8. This group of women were arrested after an International Women’s Day action. They now face serious charges of criminal damage for a symbolic action — involving nothing but an apron and some chalk — at the statue of women’s liberation icon, Zelda D’Aprano.
The Palestine movement also draws repression. In February, Israeli President Isaac Herzog should have been arrested for war crimes. Instead police in Sydney violently let loose on those protesting his visit. Many were arrested for unauthorised protest. The NSW anti-protest laws have since been struck down as unconstitutional after being challenged by Blak Caucus and the Palestine Action Group. But it is outrageous that the charges have not been thrown out. Twenty-five people face a joint hearing next July with a six-week trial scheduled. Equally appalling are the charges faced by 20 people in Queensland under hate speech laws, which criminalise the public use of popular movement chants and slogans, including “From the river to the sea” and “Globalise the intifada.” This law must be overturned!
In 2024, 111 people were arrested at the Disrupt Landforces protests. The atrocious police behaviour drew widespread criticism. Most of these charges have now been dropped, with just one person being convicted. Drop the remaining cases now! Plans are shaping up to protest Landforces again in October. To be held in Perth, this celebration of warmongering is being spruiked as “the region’s premier national and regional security event for the land defence sector.” The Western Australian government has legislated the Landforces Event (Special Powers) Bill 2026, which grants police sweeping new powers for the duration of the event.
As capitalism enters a period of deepening crisis and people collectively resist, the right to speak out and protest is under sustained attack across Australia and around the world. The rising repression must be met with deepening solidarity. Unite and fight for all outstanding charges to be dropped. Defend the right to protest now.
