Congratulations to the Broome community

Just last night we presented at the Melbourne Campaigners Network on the remarkable nonviolent direct action of the Broome community and traditional custodians against Woodside’s proposed gas hub. Then found out an hour afterwards it looked like the community might have won – and the project was about to be scrapped.  What an amazing outcome – will write more in coming days but it appears worth celebrating.  Here is a bit more news from today – Woodside announcement – Local Campaigner Nik Wevers – Environs Kimberley – Sydney Morning Herald

The financial media will all report that this was a commercial decision. Yes, in large part, of course it was – but to ignore the significant disruption, the investor uncertainty, the lack of social license and the risk, challenges and increased costs faced by the Joint Venture Partners by the consistent and varied resistance to this project is to ignore a political and economic reality faced by many contested projects these days. The community can rightly claim a stake in the ‘win’ of this project being deferred, delayed or cancelled. And a well fought one at that.

Here is the blog post I wrote last week for the event, Lessons from the Frontline, originally published on Plan to Win.

APRIL 8th 2013 – The Heart of the Kimberley

It is hard to describe the campaign and the people that make up this strange and diverse group who coalesce to defend the red dirt heartland of the Kimberley. They are larger than life, and wild… like the country itself… the campaign is a glorious jumble of occasional discipline, absolute dedication, with a black humour and stubborn grit that runs underneath it all.

The short story: Woodside, their joint venture partners and the State government are continuing to move ahead with their proposed gas hub, set to destroy ancient Aboriginal culture and burial grounds, the world’s largest humpback whale nursery, rare and endangered species, dinosaur trackways… the list goes on… It is a corrupt and heart wrenching process – being pushed by Colin Barnett with his dream of opening up the Kimberley for resource exploitation, no matter the cost.

But the real story is the people. From small business owners, to construction workers, to traditional custodians, to teachers, to retirees. We have seen the most inspiring civil disobedience and resistance – in a campaign that is set to become the next chapter in a proud history of nonviolent direct action from The Franklin dam, to Jabiluka and everything in between and since.

“Before my arrest, I had never even had so much as a parking fine, yet I would certainly do this again for the Kimberley, she is worth the fight and deserves the attention.”

Some of the diverse actions of the campaign have included:

• Halloween flash mobs;
• Hundreds of people facing off with riot police;
• Nana’s locking onto a van stopping machinery;
• People handing out ‘Groove-On’ notices at the local community festival;
• Traditional Owners holding their ground reading from the UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights; and
• An action that saw hundreds of flowers being presented to police on Mother’s Day…

… the resistance is creative, and fun, and determined.

Despite the trauma the community went through on ‘Black Tuesday’ in July 2011 when 150 riot police were flown into Broome to break the blockade, people have continued to resist – with locals and supporters from all over Australia, and the world, being arrested in defence of country and culture.

“The way the government and corporation worked to smash the community is something I will never forget and never forgive. They both certainly have a great deal to answer for on that day and the days that followed. Unbelievable that events like this can take place, at this time, in this country.”

“I found it shocking. I was bruised. I learned a lot about police tactics and our democracy. It made me more determined.”

Their strength and commitment has highlighted the issue in national and international media, has delayed work substantially, scared investors away and brought people and organisations to their cause.

And their resistance will continue to be tested – Woodside is preparing an incursion within weeks onto the sand dunes – sacred sites and burial grounds the Traditional Owners have a responsibility to protect. People from all over the country are preparing to join them. The next part of the story will soon be told.

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For information and updates on the campaign check here, and read the camp booklet here for a great overview.

The quotes are from interviews Nicola Paris conducted with community members regarding their experiences of participation in Nonviolent Direct Action as part of this campaign.