The environmental activist group Rising Tide is facing mounting criticism from Newcastle residents who question the organisation's credibility and protest methods following recent disruptions in the harbour.
Broken Promises Damage Community Trust
Local community members have expressed frustration with Rising Tide's track record of broken commitments. Glen Wilson from Cardiff highlighted several instances where the group failed to honour agreements with local authorities.
"They say they will only target blocking coal ships, and they say they will only protest on certain dates, but that hasn't been the case in the past," Wilson stated in a letter to the Newcastle Herald.
The activist group previously made promises to Newcastle City Council and the Lord Mayor regarding their planned activities but failed to maintain those commitments. Last year, arrests occurred when protesters took to the waters after the scheduled end of their event.
Cruise Ship Cancellation Sparks Debate
The controversy intensified when Viking Orion cruise ship cancelled its scheduled visit to Newcastle shortly after Rising Tide's protest activities. The cancellation has raised questions about the economic impact of protest actions on local businesses.
Wilson argued that cruise ship operators have legitimate concerns about potential disruptions, noting that "there is nothing to stop the protesters taking to the water after the scheduled end of the event."
Local businesses in Morpeth have reportedly suffered financial losses due to protest-related disruptions, with Wilson describing the impact as "a kick into the guts of those commercial operators."
Calls for Constructive Climate Action
Critics are urging Rising Tide to consider more productive approaches to addressing climate change. Instead of disruptive protests, some community members suggest the group should focus on tangible investments in renewable energy projects.
"They would be far better off doing something constructive to combat climate change, such as actually investing hundreds of millions of dollars in renewables projects," Wilson proposed.
The debate occurs against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about Newcastle's transition away from coal exports and the balance between protest rights and economic stability.
Recent incidents, including the tagging of a ship outside announced protest dates, have further eroded community trust in the protest group's methods and commitment to their stated principles.
