Blockade IMARC

Blockade IMARC refers to a protest against meetings of the International Mining and Resources Conference on the 29, 30 and 31 of October 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.

Blockade IMARC
Date29 October 2019 (2019-10-29) – 31 October 2019 (2019-10-31)
Location
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Melbourne, Australia
GoalsNon-violent blockade of IMARC
MethodsProtests
Parties to the civil conflict
Shut Down IMARC Alliance[1]
Lead figures
Jerome Small[2]
Jacob Andrewartha[3]		 Lisa Neville[2]
Casualties
Injuries4[4]
Arrested107

According to a Blockade IMARC organiser, the aim of the blockade was to protest the mining companies "exploiting workers, dispossessing indigenous people and violating human rights".[5] Prior to the blockade, the event was planned to be the "S11 but for climate".[1] The blockade was attended by "more than 20 splinter groups".[6]

The police were criticised for their use of pepper spray against protestors, and former Greens senator Lee Rhiannon reported that she "witnessed a number of examples of police violence".[7]

Events

On the 13th of August 2019, the Yarra City Council passed a resolution unanimously supporting the IMARC protest.[8]

On Tuesday the 29th of October 2019, the protests commenced. According to The Age, "Police pushed protesters down the stairs, used their batons on those who refused to follow orders and repelled the crowd with capsicum spray, while activists harassed mining delegates, spat on them and dragged them to the ground".[7] A protestor named Camila was severely injured after being pushed by police onto the floor, where she was trampled by police horses.[9] By the end of the first day, 47 protestors were arrested by police.[2]

The protest continued onto the following Wednesday. The police reportedly "used capsicum spray at least four times" and 17 protestors were arrested, one for climbing up the building to put up a banner "charged with conduct endangering life".[3]

On the 31st, the protestors moved to protest outside Rio Tinto and PwC's Melbourne offices.[10] By the end of the final day, a total of 107 protesters had been arrested.[10]

Aftermath

A day after the blockade completed, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that the government would implement laws against "environmental groups targeting businesses or firms involved in the mining sector".[11]

On the 2nd of November 2019, ABC News reported that a Victorian Police officer was under investigation for having "EAD hippy" written on their body camera.[9] The following day, a police officer was criticised for having "alt-right material" on their personal social media page after performing an OK gesture at the blockade, "a symbol frequently used by members of the far right".[12]

See also

References
  1. Royall, Ian (2 August 2019). "Activists promise blockade over 'climate criminals' at Melbourne mining conference". Herald Sun. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  2. Ferrier, Stephanie (30 October 2019). "Police defend tactics after another day of protests outside Melbourne mining conference". ABC News. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. Akerman, Tessa; Evans, Nick (30 October 2019). "Protesters target International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne". The Australian. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  4. "'Police actions have been more than justified': Fifty arrests amid ugly scenes at anti-mining protest". The Age. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  5. Andrewartha, Jacob (1 November 2019). "Why we blockaded the IMARC mining conference — and we'll do it again". Green Left Weekly. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  6. Akerman, Tessa (28 October 2018). "Victoria Police promise swift action to stop protesters disrupting an international mining conference". The Australian. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  7. Eddie, Rachel; Davis, Riordan; Ilanbey, Sumeyya (29 October 2019). "'Police actions have been more than justified': Fifty arrests amid ugly scenes at anti-mining protest". The Age.
  8. "Ordinary Meeting of Council Minutes" (PDF). Yarra City Council. p. 24.
  9. Oaten, James (1 November 2019). "Police officer to be investigated over 'EAD hippy' sticker worn to climate protest". ABC News. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  10. Schliebs, Mark (31 October 2019). "Melbourne protests: Activists take to Rio Tinto offices". The Australian. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  11. Karp, Paul (1 November 2019). "Scott Morrison threatens crackdown on protesters who would 'deny liberty'". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  12. "Victoria Police 'extremely' disappointed with alt-right memes shared by officer accused of making white power gesture". ABC News. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
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