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In Broome Western Australia, the 5th July 2011 is now known as Black Tuesday. It is the day when about 100 riot police stormed a month-long blockade that had been defending the industrialization of the Kimberley coast by mining co-operations such a Woodside. Protestors opposed a 2500 hectare LNG processing hub and associated deep-sea port at James Price Point (Walmadany), an area that has great environmental and cultural significance, providing a habitat for endangered species such as the bilby as well as the site of many Aboriginal burials.
At dawn on that day, I found myself standing in the red dirt just north of Broome amongst 250 protestors (the majority locals). Anticipation mingled with the sound of the digeridoo being played, and the group sung songs in the face of riot police that had been flown up from Perth. The protestors held their ground all morning, but after midday, when the mainstream media had returned to town to file their stories, the police became heavy-handed and the blockade was eventually dismantled while the heavy machinery charged through.
Despite what felt like defeat for those who opposed the $35 billion gas hub, Black Tuesday marks a pivotal moment when this extraordinary campaign received national and international attention. Importantly, the images and footage from this day helped the ‘No Gas’ campaign gain momentum. The battle continued until 2013 when Woodside and its partners eventually pulled out of the project.