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Nov 1, 2014-2014

Australia

Chained to a Coal Digger

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ACTIVISTS/ACT.GROUPS/DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP

Independant protestors, including former rugby star David Pocock

TARGET

Maules Creek coal mine

WIDELY HELD BELIEF

Continued reliance on coal mining for energy is damaging to the environment.

CASE NARRATIVE

Issue and Opponent: The Maules Creek coal mine, funded by Whitehaven Coal, remained operational despite previous protests and attempts to shut it down. Protests such as this arose and will likely continue to rise, given that their contract allows Whitehaven Coal to remain operational until 2045.
Dilemma Action: Former rugby star David Pocock and several others chained themselves to a coal digger as part of a campaign to prevent further work of the Maules Creek coal mine. All protestors involved were arrested and were charged with trespassing and hindering work.
Outcome: Work on the Maules Creek coal mine continued, leaving this as a failure. Though, the fact that David Pocock participated raised awareness of environmental issues in Australia, which is good for demonstrating a staunch opposition to continued mining efforts. This dilemma action was not part of a larger movement or campaign. However, it must be considered that the controversy surrounding the Maules Creek coal mine will spawn future protests and opposition, whether they remain independently led or grow into a movement entirely.

PRIMARY STRUGGLE/GOAL

Environment

DA TACTICS USED

Nonviolent obstruction

CASE NARRATIVE WRITER

SUCCESS METRICS

8 / 12

(EREP) Dilemma action got replicated by other movements

(MC) Media Coverage

(OR) Opponent response

(PS) Dilemma action built sympathy with the public

(PUN) Punishment favored the activists

(REFR) Dilemma action reframed the narrative of the opponent

(RF) Dilemma action reduced fear and/or apathy among the activists

(SA) Dilemma action appealed to a broad segment of the public

PART OF A LARGER CAMPAIGN

0 / 3

RESOURCES

Project documentation

Dilemma Actions Coding Guidebook

Case study documentation

Dilemma_Actions_Analysis_Dataset

CC BY 4.0 Deed, Attribution 4.0 International

SOURCES

Australian Associated Press. 2015. “David Pocock thanks supporters as his Maules Creek protest goes to court,” The Guardian, January 13. Retrieved July 23, 2023. (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jan/14/david-pocock-thanks-supporters-as-his-maules-creek-protest-goes-to-court).

Farrell, Paul. 2014. “Wallaby David Pocock arrested after chaining himself to coal digger,” The Guardian, November 29. Retrieved July 23, 2023. (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/nov/30/former-wallabies-captain-david-pocock-chain-digger-coal-protest).

ABC News. 2014. “Former Wallabies captain David Pocock arrested at NSW coal mine protest in Leard State Forest,” November 29. Retrieved July 23, 2023. (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-30/former-wallabies-captain-pocock-arrested-at-coal-mine-protest/5929024).

ESPN Staff. 2014. “Pocock arrested at mine protest,” November 30. Retrieved July 23, 2023. (https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/15339381/former-wallabies-skipper-david-pocock-arrested-protest-nsw).

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