Rising Tide to hold ‘Action Camp’ before Newcastle Port blockade

The controversial Rising Tide organisation is set to host a training camp, coaching would-be activists on how to protest ahead of their yearly attempt to block Newcastle’s coal port.

The controversial Rising Tide organisation is set to host a training camp, coaching budding activists on how to protest ahead of their yearly attempt to block Newcastle’s coal port.

The NSW Police Minister has slammed news of the “Action Camp” — which will be held over three days in Marrickville in mid-August — after hundreds of protesters on rafts and kayaks attempted to block coal exports from the Port of Newcastle last year, leading to dangerous rescues and arrests during which an officer was injured.

“This group has shown to have a downright disregard for the lives of our police and harbour workers,” Ms Catley said.

“It beggars belief that they are planning to coach others on this unlawful behaviour.”

Rising Tide will hold a three-day “Action Camp” in Marrickville. Picture: Supplied

Rising Tide strongly denies that any actions undertaken by members is unlawful.

According to promotional materials for the camp, Rising Tide will run a “series of workshops and training” on campaign strategies including legal observing and “mass cooking” at the Addison Road Community Centre ahead of this year’s People’s Blockade in November.

Addi Road is a registered charity and received almost $495,000 or roughly 15 per cent of its revenue in government grants last year.

Hundreds of climate protesters in kayaks and rafts were arrested last year during the blockade. Picture: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

Opposition police spokesman Paul Toole said the “brainwashing event should be shut down” and called for Addi Road to be “stripped” of any taxpayer funds used for the camp.

“It’s totally unacceptable that Addi Road is (helping) train groups to disrupt critical infrastructure like protests at the Port of Newcastle,” Mr Toole said.

NSW Minerals Council chief executive officer Stephen Galilee was also critical of the group “training people” to use their tactics.

Tickets for the action camp are by donation and start with a $10 single day concession, increasing to a $50 “comfortable income rate” or $100 “solidarity rate”.

Attendees will be able to take part in presentations on Rising Tide’s strategic “game plan”. Picture: Supplied

However, the camp is free for people who are underage, First Nations, or experiencing housing instability.

Attendees have been told to expect an “action preparation session” on the camp’s final night ahead of the blockade, which has been billed as the “biggest and boldest” attempt yet to shut down the port.

The camp, held right under Anthony Albanese’s nose in his electorate of Grayndler, comes as an embarrassment for the Prime Minister with Rising Tide members known to crash and heckle his press conferences.

A Rising Tide community organiser confirmed the camp will be used as an opportunity to prepare for the blockade, however, they did not consider their tactics unlawful.

“There is a common law right to peaceful assembly in NSW … we don’t believe that everyday Australians support politicians like Chris Minns (who) pass laws to restrict that right in service of multinational corporations,” the organiser said.

“We will be teaching people how to safely undertake the types of protest that have won fundamental rights for all Australians.”

Addi Road and Mr Albanese were contacted for comment but did not respond.