Coal train blockade interview

An interview with one of the Rising Tide activists who blockaded the coal rail line into Newcastle Harbour. See www.risingtide.org.au for more information

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• coal
• exports
• climate
• change
• Newcastle
• Australia
• Rising
• Tide
• greenhouse
• non-violent
• direct
• action

[Seekingturandot]

What are you guys doing. I am all for your cause. But you are quickly loosing support of the general public by these unlawful acts. Protest lawfully by all means and use your energies properly. How about some solutions like tidal power for a start that I know is be tested. Be constructive not counter productive. You have lost me. You would get a lot of public support if you where smart against it. Rising tide has just put themselves in the feral category. Grow up.

[sphilli8]

Sorry mate, I just don't agree. I know first hand that nonviolent direct action both brings a great deal of public attention to issues that would otherwise be ignored (like coal exports), and inspires other people to the cause. What do you want us to do, build a tidal power plant? Even if we could, all the renewable energy in the world will mean nothing if we don't phase out coal as well.

[Seekingturandot]

Your not above the law firstly. I would inspire people through lawful positive action and get the majority of people to your cause. Make a postive contribution through committees or raise funds or public awareness there are many avenues at your disposal instead of having small groups join up with others and boost your numbers. How many of your people on the day got petitions of the people there! Non..... Poor form. There has been many successful results in histroy done lawfully.

[sphilli8]

If you believe that a petition is going to end the causes of climate change you'll believe anything. No mass movement for social change has ever succeeded without breaking the law, which exists to preserve the status quo.

[Seekingturandot]

I totally disagree, I wasn't just mentioning petitions. Fact remains is you had the majority of the population in your area on a petition are you telling me a politian that is appointed by the peoples vote won't listen. Cleary, you have no idea how the political machine works. Especially behind the scenes. The has been changes by mass movement in changing of parties.That is the beauty of living in a democratic society use the tools open to you than wanting to break laws for sensationalism.

[pi550]

You better not be getting any welfare payments such as the dole.If you don't have a job and pay taxes you should not be allowed vote as you are spending other people's money.

GET A JOB!!

[pi550]

And I bet you vote for them...directly or indirectly.

[gm4losers]

Get a job!

[angitia]

Keep up the good work Rising Tide. Kicking the fossil fuel addiction is difficult, as all addictions can be. I look forward to a new form of power that isn't based upon slavery of nature, but co-operation with nature. That is going to be a great challenge, but I am convinced that someone,somewhere, together has a solution. Our NSW Government at present are none other than a fossil fuel dictatorship. All dictatorships eventually fall. Thankyou

[QueenieAlexander2000]

Bravo!