A convoy of Woodside vehicles working on the James Point Price gas hub construction site have been held up for over two days starting on August 26th by the community the “Save the Kimberly’s” blockade in Broome, Western Australia. Four protestors have been arrested for standing on the road and also do a number of fairly spectacular lock on actions on heavy vehicles. The campaign against the $30 billion gas hub is gaining momentum both on the blockade site and nationally in an effort to protect the landrights of the traditional owners and the unspoilt beauty of the Kimberley.
Related: Campaign Website -- Facebook page -- John Butler opinion piece -- Youtube footage of action -- Earlier mass arrests action -- Melbourne Rally
One protestor Sue Clarke, 57 was the first to be arrested blocking the convoy by standing on the road. She refused bail and spent two nights in the lock up until she was released on reduced bail conditions.
Marion Lester, 58 in the early hours of Saturday morning managed to lock onto a piece of heavy machinery. With her support crew at her side, Marion was able to hold up the convoy by being locked on under the vehicle for an incredible 37 hours!
In addition Naomi Hodgson and Lauren Ausborne managed to hold up thirty vehicles at the maingate to the construction site for over 30 hours by concreting themselves to a 44 gallon drum. I think the Youtube footage below sums up both the calm peaceful determined resistance of the demonstrators and the confusion of the authorities on how to deal with this act of resistance! The two women had to be literally chipped out of the barrels to remove them!
Blockade organisers via the Save the Kimberley Facebook page stated
Wow, what a fantastic community effort over the last few days and months to cause these very significant delays to the Woodside clearing and drilling program. Congratulations and respect to all. Thanks to our 4 lockons in particular. And also thanks to our Save The Kimberley facebook community for all the updates, photos and support. Louise, Jess, Bev, Cammille, Rod and everyone else - you are all wonderful. We will never give up.
The following photo montage on Youtube gives an exeellent sense of the determination of the protestors and how hard it was for the police to shift them!
In addition to the arrests and lock on's many others attendind the blockade have been issued with "move on notices" as the community continues to rally at the site.
Mainstream press coverage of actions Images for this story obtained from the Save the Kimberley Facebook page: thanks to the contributors
Gas hub convoy blocked woman arrested: SBS News
Woodside convoy halted as protest moves into 25th hour: Perth Now --
