The People’s Blockade
Come for an hour; Come for 10 days!
Tues Nov 19 — Thurs Nov 28
The People’s Blockade Guide
This November, join thousands of people for one of the most significant climate uprisings on the planet - stopping coal exports from the world’s largest coal port at Muloobinba (Newcastle) on Awabakal and Worimi land and water for an unprecedented 50 hours!
Last year's Blockade was incredible; with a 3,000 people-powered peaceful flotilla, we stopped the coal ships for 32 hours. And when 109 people chose to take further action and get arrested, they made global headlines demanding an end to new fossil fuels and transition funding for workers and communities. With over 1,000 media hits – it was the largest civil disobedience for climate justice in Australia’s history.
Strap yourself in - this year it will be more than 3 times the scale: 10,000 people, over 10 days - you don’t want to miss it!
Come for an hour, come for 10 days, join the People’s Blockade, join the Canberra Wave - you decide!
The 10 Day Plan
The People’s Blockade in Newcastle (Tues Nov 19 - Tues Nov 26)
Tuesday 19 - Setup, Welcome
Wednesday 20 - Prepare, Skill up + Build our Movement
Thursday 21 - Prepare, Skill up + Build our Movement
Friday 22 - Protestival: Flotilla + Beach Fun
Saturday 23 - Protestival: Flotilla + Beach Fun
Sunday 24 - Protestival ends; Debrief + Build our Movement
Monday 25- Celebrate + 2025 Planning
Tuesday 26 - Pack Up, Wrap Up + Canberra Wave departs . . .
The Canberra Wave in Canberra (Tues Nov 26 - Thurs Nov 28)
. . . Tuesday 26 - Canberra Wave starts
Wednesday 27th - Canberra Wave
Thursday 28th - Canberra Wave
The People’s Blockade 2024 will be ground breaking - 10,000 people over 10 days, coming together for a family-friendly Protestival, flotilla blockade and to create deep friendships and skills as we build the power of our climate defence movement.
BYO or borrow a vessel to join thousands of people in a peaceful and disruptive flotilla to stop coal exports from the world’s largest coal port for 50 hours, including two full nights!
With lots to do on land and water; with speeches, kids activities, live music & floating dance parties - climate action has never been so fun!
The People’s Blockade
After rolling national and international media coverage of the People’s Blockade, we‘ll ride the wave of energy and media attention to Ngunawal and Ngambri Country.
From Newcastle, we’ll head straight to Parliament House in Canberra to demand the PM answer: “When will you stop new coal and gas?”. For the last three days of the sitting Parliament for 2024, we’ll occupy Parliament lawns with a peaceful vigil against fossil fuel expansion.
In the lead-up to the 2025 federal election, we must cut through with a single clear message for voters: new coal & gas = Labor’s climate failure.
You can join the Canberra Wave regardless of whether or not you attend the People’s Blockade in Newcastle.
The Canberra Wave
Steps to Join the People’s Blockade
Great! You’ve made the decision to join the People’s Blockade - you won’t regret it! Follow these steps, and learn more about each step in this Guide, to ease your journey!
Even if you only plan to come for a day and not join us for a meal, please fill in the registration form to help the volunteer organisers plan a great and safe event and to help secure and pay for infrastructure in the lead up!
Fill out the registration form as early as you can, and by Sunday 10th November if you plan to camp and/or participate in meals. Key things you will need to know/have when you register:
What days you will join us (Tues 19 Nov - Tues 26 Nov)
Your chosen accommodation option
Whether or not you plan to join us for meals
The sorts of crew roles you’d be interested in volunteering for during your stay (e.g. kitchen helper, beach marshal, welcome tent helper)
Your debit/credit card for optional contribution (the only available payment option)
Book your accommodation early if you’re not planning to join the Blockade Camp.
Sort out your travel arrangements. Some of the Rising Tide Hubs will be helping organise carpooling and/or group bookings for train or bus transport. Hub members will be in touch later in the year with those who register from their region
Try to attend a Nonviolent Direct Action training in your region, else online. We’ll let you know details by email!
Keep an eye out for important emails
Click GOING to the Facebook event and invite your friends!
Steps to Join the Canberra Wave
You can join the Canberra Wave regardless of whether or not you are able to get to the People’s Blockade.
Fill out the registration form as early as you can, and by Sunday 10th November if you plan to camp and/or participate in meals. Key things you will need to know/have when you register:
What days you will join us (Tues 26 Nov - Thurs 28 Nov)
Your preferred transport option
Your chosen accommodation option
Whether or not you plan to join us for meals
Your debit/credit card for optional contribution (the only available payment option)
Try to attend a Nonviolent Direct Action training in your region, else online. We’ll let you know details by email!
Keep an eye out for important emails
Click GOING to the Facebook event and invite your friends!
FAQs
The People’s Blockade
The People’s Blockade will take place on the unceded land and water of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples, at Muloobinba (Newcastle, NSW)
We’re all in this together
The People’s Blockade is a beautiful and colourful family-friendly event, but we must remember - at its core, it is a frontline protest with an important purpose.
The volunteer organisers will work tirelessly to create a memorable, inclusive and safe event - but it’s important to understand that protest camps come with uncertainty, and challenges may be encountered, both before and during the Blockade, which we will face together. The People’s Blockade is not a festival, where you pay your entry and you’re a consumer - you too are part of this creation!
We are still in negotiations with Newcastle Council and the police about access to the adjacent parkland for the Blockade Camp, and the police for our permit to hold our 50 hour protest to stop the ships.
As per the 2023 People’s Blockade, we may not be able to confirm where the Blockade Camp is, nor that we have a permit, until much closer to the event and we cannot guarantee where the camp will be, nor the quality of facilities. In 2023, it was all confirmed in the week prior! We are working hard to secure the campsite and permissions and will keep everyone updated with our progress.
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No! Come for an hour, come for 10 days!
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The Protestival (8am Friday - 10am Sunday) will be held at Horseshoe Beach, Muloobinba/Newcastle. This is very close to Newcastle city and public transport.
The Blockade Camp, where we will sleep (if you decide to camp), plan, prepare, debrief and celebrate, will be established in adjacent parks, pending Newcastle Council and police permission (see ‘Accommodation and Meals’).
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YES! - if you plan to camp at the Blockade Camp and/or participate in meals, please register as early as you can and before Sunday 10th November.
This is a massive event, and your early registration really helps the many volunteer organisers out and helps us secure and pay for infrastructure in the lead up.
If you’re not planning to camp or participate in meals, please still register, even if you are only joining us for a day. This will help the volunteer organisers plan a great and safe event!
The Protestival (8am Friday - 10am Sunday) is on a public beach, so we will be welcoming everyone, but we will encourage on site registration for those who didn’t register in advance.
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Not at all! Showing your support from the beach is important. Most of the program will occur on land, it will be like the land-based rally of the accompanying flotilla blockade.
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As we did in 2023, we are seeking a permit to undertake our protest. Yes, that’s right - in the biggest flex of our right to disruptively protest, we will have permission to hold our Protestival, camp and safely stop the ships for 50 hours.
It is legal to gather and protest in Australia and to paddle and swim in the harbour. It is not legal to obstruct a vessel, but, with our permit - the harbour will be closed to all ships. As long as we are on the water, the ships will not move.
This event has been held 12 times in the past, with thousands of participants overall. With the exception of the 2023 People’s Blockade - where 109 people intentionally undertook civil disobedience after the end of the protest - only one fine has ever been issued and one other person was charged and received a caution in court.
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Yes! To ensure the People’s Blockade is a safe, inclusive and fun event for everyone - from the moment you arrive, to the moment you depart, you are agreeing to this Participants’ Agreement.
The Basics
Inclusivity!
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Affinity groups are groups of about 5 - 15 individuals that are known to each other and/or share a common identity or interest. We see them as a way to embed mutual support, autonomy and resilience into the Blockade and our movement.
Some examples of shared connection Affinity Groups could be based on are: geographic location, a shared identity, a group of friends, or a role in a direct action.
You are strongly encouraged to self-organise your own Affinity Group before you come to the Blockade from your established local networks.
Space will also be created at the Blockade during the preparation phase (Wednesday and Thursday) to create Affinity Groups. If you are interested in coordinating (e.g. setting up) an Affinity Group, let us know when you register as we hope to have online training and resources prior to the Blockade to help you feel confident in this role.
Space will also be facilitated during the blockade for those Affinity Groups that are interested in having more people join their group.
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Rising Tide has established a permanent People of Colour Caucus (PoCC) to help create a culture of community care within the movement, and increase the safety and inclusion of First Nations, Pasifika, and People of Colour at Rising Tide events.
There will be a dedicated space at the Blockade where People of Colour can come together in mutual support.
If you are a Person of Colour and would like to be kept in the loop about the PoCC at the Blockade then you can note this in your registration.
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Rising Tide is focused on making our events welcoming for under 18s and young adults. We support under 18s with a dedicated under 18s tent, especially those who attend without parental supervision, and have rostered adults who are focused on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of under 18s.
Under 18s are also invited to join an under 18 Affinity Group, where small groups of under 18s plus an adult supporter can stick together and support each other during the blockade.
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Absolutely! This is a very family friendly event. In the past, parents and carers have taken their kids out on the water and they have a great time! There’s also lots of fun to be had on the beach & like 2023, we will have a kids space set up and some special programmed entertainment for the kids too.
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The People’s Blockade is 100% volunteer organised. We build it together and its success depends on people pitching in!
We encourage everyone who is staying for more than one day, and in particular those that will be at the Blockade Camp to take on one or more volunteer shifts.
There are many ways you can help, from chopping or serving food, driving, community care to kids activities.
If caring for yourself and yours whilst there is a victory for you, that’s OK - we celebrate that too!
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There are a number of roles during the Blockade that will need people with experience in those roles, such as photography, first aid, trainers and liaisons. You can nominate your areas of expertise when you register, and we will do our best to fit the right people to the role.
Please note, if roles are already filled, with thousands of people registering - we likely won’t be in touch - we hope you understand! So be sure to put your name down to fill some other volunteer roles!
Helping at the Blockade
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With so many people joining the Blockade, we encourage you to bring your own vessel and/or life jacket if you can. A successful blockade flotilla needs things that float!
We will hire sit-on-top 2-person kayaks and life jackets for general use, there will be lots of personal kayaks to share, pontoons to dance on and there may be the odd unicorn floating around too.
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To create a diverse and colourful flotilla, bringing what you can, including:
A homemade raft or anything that floats!
Flotation devices: Surfboards or paddleboards
Small paddle craft: kayaks, canoes etc.
Wind powered vessels: yachts, catamarans, etc.
Tinnies, and other small powered vessels
Vessels of larger sizes help us look more powerful and diverse and increase the visual impact of the event, so we really encourage you to go to the effort of bringing your boat.
If bringing a tinnie - please be aware that you likely won’t be able to beach it when it's not in use (e.g. it would need to be anchored just offshore, or taken out of the water at the boat ramp).
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Yes! Larger vessels can be helpful in taking on a role during the Flotilla. If you are interested in first learning ways you and your vessel could help the event, then let us know when you register.
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On Saturday at 2pm, you can join hundreds of local Newcastle surfers on their boards in the great big Surfers’ Paddle Out - a massive moment, where surfers will come together in solidarity for the protection of our oceans from the effects of climate change.
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There will be a process where you can identify your vessel as being able to be used by others, or not.
People will leave their small vessels on the beach overnight, where we will basically take over the public space. We have never had an issue with theft before and it seems unlikely, but we cannot guarantee the safety of your vessel. If you want to be sure, you can carry it with you to the campsite (500m away) or perhaps figure a way to lock it up.
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No! The sit-on-top kayaks are extremely sturdy and don’t require prior kayaking experience.
Other kayaks range in stability, usability and sturdiness. You don’t need prior experience for these, but it would help.
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Yes, in the water at Horseshoe Beach on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov 20-21, times TBC.
And, be sure to LIKE Rising Tide on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date on the many upcoming Rising Tide events in your region - maybe your nearest Hub will offer a kayak training before the Blockade!
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We will have fast boats on the water, with trained and experienced crew, dedicated to supporting the safety of participants - day and night.
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There are rules in respect to lifejackets, not being under the influence and the use of torches at night here, in the Blockade’s Participants’ Agreement.
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We heard it over and over - the Night Flotilla was a highlight of the 2023 People’s Blockade - and this year we will have two!
There will be an electronic sign up at the Blockade, where you can sign on to an overnight shift. Last year the shifts were 2 hours, but many people stayed for much longer!
If you plan to be on the water at night - you MUST have a white torch (preferably a head torch) with you at all times on the water, so don’t forget it and some fresh batteries.
Bring a poem, a deck of cards or some stories to share!
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Yes! There will be pontoons on the water where you can hang out on the water without needing to paddle!
The Flotilla Blockade
Nonviolence Training
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The flotilla is a family-friendly event, however we will always take the opportunity to upskill our movement in Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA)!
NVDA training helps to build a strong culture for safe, peaceful and effective protests.
This training is for everyone! Direct Action can take on many shapes and forms, and whilst many Direct Actions have components of civil disobedience (e.g. intentionally breaking a law), many do not - and need not.
Training will be offered prior to the Blockade, and we encourage everyone to participate in these if at all possible to help reduce the number of participants being trained during the Blockade.
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You can:
* Join the big Blockade Camp in adjacent parkland, for the full experience! You will need to bring your camping gear.
* Book your own accommodation (we advise you do this as early as possible)
* Billet with a local host if possible: e.g. a spare room or a mattress on the floor.
* Sleep in your campervan/caravan - but you will need to arrange a site yourself as there will be no van sites at the Blockade Camp
Please note: we are still in negotiations with Newcastle Council about access to the adjacent parkland for camping.
As per the 2023 People’s Blockade, we may not be able to confirm where the campsite is until much closer to the event and we cannot guarantee where it will be, or the quality of facilities. We are working hard to secure the best option, but please remember this is a protest camp, so there may be exciting challenges that we overcome together!
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Whether or not you are camping or visiting for one day or eight (Tuesday Nov 19 - Tuesday Nov 26), you are invited to join the daily meals.
BYO refillable water bottle and snacks.
If you plan to participate in a volunteer catered meal, you must register. Food will be mostly vegan/vegetarian with GF options for every meal.
Meals will be available, either from the volunteer run kitchens (which you could help in!) or from food vendors.
The meals covered by the volunteer run kitchens, and covered in your registration financial contribution, are:
Tues 19: DINNER (Setup, Welcome)
Wed 20: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER (Prepare, Skill up + Build our Movement)
Thurs 21: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER (Prepare, Skill up + Build our Movement)
Fri 22: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER (Protestival)
Sat 23: BREAKFAST (Protestival)
Sun 24: BREAKFAST, DINNER (Protestival ends; Debrief + Build our Movement)
Mon 25: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER (Celebrate + 2025 Plans)
Tues 26: BREAKFAST (Pack Up, Wrap Up + Canberra Wave departs)
The meals that will be covered by food vendors, and at extra cost, are:
Sat 23: LUNCH, DINNER(Protestival)
Sun 24: LUNCH (Protestival ends; Debrief + Build our Movement)
Please note: we will have back-up volunteer-kitchen meals for those in need.
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We don’t want finances to be a barrier. There is a sliding scale to cover the event costs, where we invite people to choose what fits their situation best.
For those who would like to ‘pay it forward’, you can also make an optional additional donation.
To help cover the costs associated with meals (if you opt in) and putting on such a massive event (e.g. marquees, toilets, stage, musicians and kayak hire) we encourage a financial contribution using this guidance:
* Comfortable: $35/day with volunteer meals; $20/day without
* Concession: $25/day with volunteer meals; $10/day without
* Pay as you can: Donation of your choice
* First Nations and Under 18: Free.
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Some of the Rising Tide Hubs will be helping organise carpooling and/or transport.
This support ranges from an organised bus, group public transport bookings, to Facebook Groups dedicated to people self-organising their carpooling. Hub members will be in touch later in the year with those who register from their region.
The current Rising Tide Hubs are: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Central Coast, Melbourne, Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Sydney.
Parking around the protest area is limited, and is generally short term parking. So we encourage people to carpool / use public transport where possible. Children can often travel free on NSW regional trains.
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Logistics
The Canberra Wave
The Canberra Wave will take place on the unceded land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri Peoples
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Come for an hour, come for 3 days - you decide!
* Tuesday 26 - Travel, Setup + Welcome (+ Action tbc)
* Wednesday 27th - Canberra Action
* Thursday 28th - Canberra Action
* Friday 29th - Pack up + Departures
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The Canberra Wave will be… well, in Canberra! The ongoing action will take place at and around Parliament House.
The Canberra Wave Camp’s location is TBA, but it will be camping.
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YES! - if you plan to camp at the Canberra Wave Camp and/or participate in meals, please register as early as you can and before Sunday 10th November.
If you’re not planning to camp or participate in meals, please still register, even if you are only joining us for a day. This will help the volunteer organisers plan a great and safe event!
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This is a family friendly event - the intention is for all actions at the Canberra Wave to be within the law.
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For those travelling to the Canberra Wave from the People’s Blockade, there are a number of transport options.
We will assess transport needs closer to the time and will sort out ride-sharing at the blockade.
In the registration form we capture your transport preferences, to help us understand if there are transport gaps (e.g. we may need to hire a bus or ramp up use of public transport).
The transport options for those joining from the People’s Blockade are:
* Travelling by car / carpooling (5-6 hrs)
* Coach hired by Rising Tide (5-6 hrs ~$60)
* Public transport (6-7 hrs ~$40-60 depending on concessions)
We will not be directly organising transport home from Canberra, but we will facilitate car-pooling and Canberra is very well connected to public transport options.
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You can:
* Join the big Canberra Wave Camp (location TBA), for the full experience! You will need to bring your camping gear.
* Book your own accommodation
* Billet with a local host if possible: e.g. a spare room or a mattress on the floor.
* Sleep in your campervan/caravan - but you may need to arrange a site yourself, depending on where the Canberra Wave Camp is located.
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Whether or not you are camping or visiting for a day or an hour (Tuesday Nov 26 - Thursday Nov 28), you are invited to join the daily meals.
BYO refillable water bottle and snacks.
The meals will come from the volunteer run kitchen (which you can help in!), and will be covered in your registration financial contribution. The meals available are:
* Tues 26: DINNER (Travel, Setup, Welcome (+Action TBC)
* Wed 27: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER (Canberra Action)
* Thurs 28: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER (Canberra Action)
* Fri 29: BREAKFAST (Pack up + Departure)
If you plan to participate in meals, you must register. Food will be mostly vegan/vegetarian with GF options for every meal.
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We don’t want finances to be a barrier. There is a sliding scale to cover the event costs, where we invite people to choose what fits their situation best.
For those who would like to ‘pay it forward’, you can also make an optional additional donation.
To help cover the costs associated with meals (if you opt in) and putting on the event (e.g. camping fees, toilets) we encourage a financial contribution using this guidance:
* Comfortable: $20/day with volunteer meals; $5/day without
* Concession: $10/day with volunteer meals; free without
* Pay as you can: Donation of your choice
* First Nations and Under 18: Free.
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If you are planning to travel from Newcastle and prefer to travel by car (or coach if this eventuates), please travel light to help fit people in cars!
To help with your packing, you can find the full list for the People’s Blockade here, which, after you exclude the obvious things like kayaks and marquees, is also applicable to the Canberra Wave.
Nothing additional/special is needed for the Canberra Wave.