Bentley: The People STAND

[enfoldedblue]

I haven't seen any mention of this Australian protest yet...If I missed it please merge.

The people of Northern NSW are standing up to government and the mining Industry and saying NO to the destruction of their local environment for profit.

The camp is apparently very well organized and is comprised of ordinary citizens including children and many seniors...Of course the media is portraying the protesters as squatters and troublemakers.

Apparently next week 900 riot police are being called in to protect the interests of the mining company. The logic is that because the mining application has been approved the Company is acting lawfully and anyone who gets in the way of the company's legal right to rape the land is acting unlawfully and therefore can be arrested.

http://gasfieldfreenorthernrivers.org/bentley-diary/



Well we have been at the Bentley Blockade with the horses for a month now. Though we are not camped at the main camping area, we are still close to the action. The main camp grows more like a small village everyday with a coffee shop and a pizza oven installed on site. The constant flow of visitors adds to the colourful array of people who are beginning to call this pop-up town home. The streets are named and gardens are growing, its a regular suburbia complete with neighbourhood disputes on occasion. But even the occasional dispute only adds to the colour of the place.

With both the Police Local Area Commander and the head of the Riot Squad present to witness a dawn gathering of 3000 people, we had hoped that they and the politicians would see reason, especially in light of recent ICAC developments. But despite outstanding community opposition, the orders have been given for police to move in with up to 900 officers including Riot Squad and Mounted Police. Rumour has it they may even bring in a water cannon. So who gave the orders? The Police Minister? Which one? The one who just stood down on corruption allegations and has been implicated in the "missing letters scandal" involving none other than Peter Henderson, CEO of Metgaso? Or is it from the new guy who started last week? Maybe they are from higher up....the Premiere...but again, which one? I have to question the authority of any such orders under the current political climate.

Nevertheless it feels like we are preparing for war. We are peaceful law abiding citizens who just want the right to protect our clean water for future generations yet they are using the same old spin tactic of labeling us extremists and lawbreakers. Any law that denies us our basic human rights is an unjust law.
ICAC has only scratched the surface on the corruption between politicians and the mining companies, much more is yet to be revealed and history will show our stand here at Bentley to be well justified, but in the meantime.....we wait....we hope.....and we prepare as best we can for the showdown to come.


If you can't get to Bentley, please make a phone call to the Premiere's Office and the Police Ministers Office and tell them to stand down from this attack on peaceful citizens.

The whole world is watching.......

[Snowflower]

They need the new phone app that has been released in the US. It alerts you when someone is facing police brutality or any injustice within a certain distance from you to see if you would like to rally in support.

[enfoldedblue]

QAGhO_Hf60s

[sandy]

Go Bentley GO!!!!!........................this Sister is behind you all the way!!!!!!!

[enfoldedblue]

UPDATE: Amazing News!

900 riot police were heading up the coast to dismantle the protesters' community that had formed to protect the environment from corporate greedy claws. People were worried. I live 3 hours away from where the protests were taking place, but as the oppressive threat of the law approached friends from here were preparing to head up to lend their support the peaceful protesters.

Then in a late night decision there was a sudden turnaround. Metgasco's (the gas company) drilling licence was suspended AND the company is being referred to the newly formed corruption commission!!!!

The Police, who had made it half way up the coast were sent home.

The people involved were very well informed, organized and motivated and came together and made a real difference.

Yay PEOPLE!!!!


HALF asleep in the back of his wagon, Jarrah Keenan said he couldn't believe it when he heard on the radio the New South Wales Government had suspended Metgasco's petroleum exploration licence - so he screamed out the news across camp Bentley.

"I jumped up in my troopie and screamed out 'We've won!' across the camp," he said.

"The initial reaction was one of disbelief; people came out of their tents and cars saying 'What, what?'.

"Then there was jubilant celebration and cheering broke out across the camp."

Since February protesters have maintained their presence near the Graham family's Bentley farm, counting down the days until a convoy of drilling equipment was anticipated to arrive.

Rumours of "a blue army" of 800 police descending on Bentley to break up the protest and allow Metgasco and the equipment access to the Rosella test drilling site only strengthened their resolve.

So yesterday was a day for celebration.

Drums played as beaming protesters danced, sang and hugged in celebration.

Lock the Gate Northern Rivers spokesman Ian Gaillard said the group was "excited but wary" about the licence suspension.

"I am feeling very happy that we are not looking down the barrel at a sea of blue and all the pain and suffering that comes from that," he said.

"But I note it is not a revocation, it is just a suspension."

Within minutes of the announcement, messages of congratulations flowed from around the world through social media, Mr Gaillard said.

"This is a victory for every person," he said.

Gasfields Free Northern Rivers spokesman Adam Guise said the licence suspension was "the death blow for Metgasco".

"The community has been united against them for so long now," he said.

"This is another victory for people of the Northern Rivers, which will empower them going forward."

Mr Keenan said the protesters' victory was acknowledged by the police.

"This morning police came and clapped and congratulated us," he said.

"The inspector rang Ian Gaillard and told him the police operation was cancelled."
http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/people-power-pays-off/2259938/