The peaceful Broome community blockade split by Barnett’s riot police

Riot police push through the Broome Blockade, July 5th, Photo: Rod Hartvigsen@Murranji Photography

It’s been an action packed week for the Kimberley ‘no gas hub’ campaign. One month after the Broome community set up a peaceful blockade to stop Woodside bulldozers from clearing land at James Price Point, a police intervention was requested by Woodside.

WA Premier Colin Barnett responded with around 80 riot police.

Two weeks ago Barnett said he "respects the protester’s right to be there", but on Tuesday July 5th he sent in the police. This heavy handed tactic may have dealt a fatal blow to Woodside’s and Barnett’s dream of building the gas hub at James Price Point.

Police tactics

Riot police - in training for the big Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in October - descended on mass on the peaceful Broome blockade. Out of the 150 people at the blockade, Indigenous and non-Indigenous standing strong together, the police arrested 25.

In a disgraceful display of force, the police pulled and dragged people away from the blockade and later employed a ‘flying wedge’ tactic to smash the remaining protesters out of the way.

Andrew Dureau gets arrested for protecting his father, Photo: Rod Hartvigsen@Murranji Photography

Respected Broome community elder and environmentalist, Dave Durreau, fell to the ground in front of an approaching bulldozer just after the police were ordered to quick-march into the blockade. When his son Andrew went to his aid, the riot police put Andrew in a headlock and arrested him.

Locals described it as a, “violation of human rights at the beginning of NAIDOC week in Broome.”

Although no documents have been produced by Woodside permitting the land-clearing under the Aboriginal Heritage Act, Woodside claim they have lawful access. After the police action, a convoy of 30 vehicles and trucks carrying earthmoving equipment pass through the blockade under police escort.

The bulldozers began clearing land for two days, before being stopped after the Department of Indigenous affairs (DIA) admitted there were several Aboriginal heritage sites in the area that required investigation.

Peter Roberston attempts a citizens arrest on Woodside CEO Peter Coleman, at Woodside HQ. Photo: Jenita Enevoldsen

Campaign continues

Across the country, activities in support of the Broome community are being carried out. A contingent of Traditional Owners from Broome and our campaigners visited Canberra on July 5th to discuss the 'no gas hub' campaign with federal politicians.

A couple of days later in Perth, we held a “Woodside you’re nicked” protest where supporters and volunteers dressed as police attempted to make a citizen’s arrest of Woodside’s CEO Peter Coleman. And in Sydney we held a very succesful community forum on 'how a Kimberley gas plant threatens Aboriginal culture' in Redfern on July 9th.

The Broome community produced this video showing their views – with a very simple message!

What can you do to help?

Sign up to our cyberactivist list and receive regular updates on the Kimberley and other Wilderness Society campaigns - a new cyberaction is being planned so sign up now to be included!

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Keep up with all the campaign news via our Facebook (WA) page.

If you can get to Broome, you can attend the huge July 17th Concert in Broome. Stay tuned for other events around Australia to say ‘NO’ to a Kimberley gas hub.