1,000 signatures reached
To: Lord Mayor Gavin Morris and the Newcastle City Council,
Unwind the ban on Rising Tide and affiliated groups
We call on you to rescind the repressive motion passed on the 10th of November, 2026, “that Council:
- Does not license or authorise, now and into the future, community owned land for the purpose of Rising Tide's events / protests (including, but not limited to, The People's Blockade) and including its associates, subsidiaries, affiliated IMGs -Issue Motivated Groups; and individuals.”
The Lord Mayor's motion was prepared in secret collaboration with NSW Premier Minns and Police Minister Catley. With it, the council has not only banned Rising Tide from hosting licensed events on public land, but also any group or individual council deems to be “affiliated” with Rising Tide.
This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the participation of all manner of organisations in civic life. Community groups, volunteer organisations, clubs, faith-based organisations and unions should all have fair and equal access to hold events and protest on community land.
Why is this important?
This unprecedented move by Newcastle City Council bans the approval of any event or protest organised by Rising Tide or any associated groups or individuals on council-owned land, “now and into the future.”
When questioned on ABC radio the following morning about whether he might have unintentionally banned a bunch of groups that might want to have a rally about something else entirely, the Lord Mayor replied “I would feel comfortable with that.”
It is no longer clear which groups, organisations and individuals can organise events on public land in Newcastle. This is an attack on democratic participation, and follows in the footsteps of governments across the country restricting the right to protest.