Anti-Adani ‘blow-ins’ to gather near Bowen for 9 days for training camp

Anti-Adani “blow-ins” will today begin a nine-day camp near Bowen, where they will be trained in what a local MP has branded terrorist style tactics.

ANTI-Adani “blow-ins” will today begin a nine-day camp near Bowen, where they will be trained in what a local MP has branded terrorist style tactics.

Burdekin MP Dale Last slammed the green activists, labelling them disruptive ­radical environmentalists.

The event, hosted by ­Extinction Rebellion, will begin today on “Birri and Juru land” and run until March 3.

Labelled “Shut Down Adani”, it calls for protesters to take “radical nonviolent direct action” before it’s too late.

Workshops will be held to train protesters in nonviolent direction action, encrypted communication and security culture. They will also be treated to movie nights, yoga, ­kombucha brewing, banner painting and knot-tying.

The protesters were asked to contribute daily costs to help cover food and other necessities.

They were also warned not to bring “illegal items or ­substances” and ensure their cars were roadworthy due to the heavy police presence.

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It is unclear how many people are going to attend the event but last night 82 people had marked themselves as attending on the Facebook event.

A screenshot of the Shut Down Adani poster by Extinction Rebellion.

Mr Last said the protest was based “on lies and ­underhanded tactics from a small group of radical ­environmentalists”.

“North Queenslanders are sick and tired of green activists telling us we don’t deserve jobs and I would be very surprised if the protesters aren’t given a hostile reception from locals in the area,” he said. “We have learnt that the protest organisers will run workshops on ­encrypted communication and the question has to be asked: why would peaceful, legal ­protesters need to use the same communication means as ­terrorists?

“We have seen these blow-ins disrupt our lives, our businesses and our opportunities, and we have had a gutful of it.”

A screenshot of a poster for the Shut Down Adani event.

Mackay Police Inspector Steve O’Connell said extra ­resources had been deployed to Bowen.

“We’re aware that there’s a gathering and there’s the plans for possible high-risk, unlawful activity and we will be ready to provide an appropriate policing response,” he said.

“The right of people to lawful and peaceful assembly and protest is honoured, but we will not tolerate any unlawful dangerous activity by anyone.”

Extinction Rebellion was contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.

Originally published as Anti-Adani ‘blow-ins’ to gather near Bowen for 9 days for training camp