Climate Protest At World’s Largest Coal Port Forces Bulk Carrier To Turn Back, 170 Arrested

A major climate protest at the world’s largest coal-exporting terminal, the port of Newcastle, forced an inbound vessel to turn back. The New South Wales Police later confirmed that the protest resulted in the arrest of 170 activists.

The protest, organised by the climate group Rising Tide, began on November 22, 2024, with the protestors in boats, kayaks, and surfboards, with a mission to disrupt coal shipments.

By November 24, police had arrested 156 adults and 14 youths for obstructing the port’s shipping channel.

Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said that 34 protesters needed rescue from the water, and one police officer suffered a fractured ankle during the arrests.

The port was brought to a standstill by protesters in kayaks. Thousands were gathered for days at New Castle Harbour and South Eastern Australia. The protest is called the People’s Blockade.

This is the second such protest by the Rising Tide group.

We’re reaching international news! Hear yesterday’s report from Al Jazeera ☀ pic.twitter.com/IQGtTDdCg9

— RisingTideAustralia (@RisingTideAus) November 25, 2024

Video Credits: RisingTideAustralia/X

The port is the major coal exporter, as 15% of the world’s coal is shipped from Newcastle. Shipping about 150 million tonnes annually.

The protesters want the Australian government to cancel all upcoming fossil fuel projects and end coal exports by 2030.

A group of protesters paddled into the shipping channel on November 24 and blocked the path of the bulk carrier Golden Soul, forcing it to turn back.

Despite the disruption, a Port of Newcastle representative said operations remained largely unaffected. Though an inbound vessel was aborted due to people in the channel, it has been rescheduled.

Since the start of the protest, over 30 ships have passed through the harbour, which remains operational.

Rising Tide defended the protest, with organiser Zack Schofield saying that disrupting coal exports was justified and that in a democracy, people should have the right to disrupt an industry that is destroying the children’s future for their profit.

🚨 Breaking 🚨 Protestors declare victory blocking Newcastle Coal Port. Arrests made. pic.twitter.com/mtFWjg1pL9

— RisingTideAustralia (@RisingTideAus) November 24, 2024

Video Credits: RisingTideAustralia/X

Political responses to the protests were divided. Greens leader Adam Bandt supported the protest, asking the government to stop approving new coal and gas projects. He added, “You can’t put the fire out while you’re pouring petrol on it”.

Meanwhile, NSW Shadow Police Minister Paul Toole criticised the activists, calling them “pests” and urging stricter penalties. He further said that protests like these disrupt everyday activities and shouldn’t be tolerated.

The protest came after the Supreme Court overturned a proposed exclusion zone to prevent such blockades. The group Rising Tide’s previous protest in November also disrupted port operations, leading to over 100 arrests.

The ongoing protest is one of the largest climate protests in Australia’s recent history, with thousands of protesters participating in a 10-day event focusing on the environmental impact of coal exports.

Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, who performed at the protest, criticised the NSW government’s response, asking the crowd, “Is the real threat citizens exercising their rights, or continuing to export materials that will burn the world up in a furnace?”

“Is the real threat to the Hunter region a group of citizens exercising their democratic rights, or in continuing to export the materials that will burn the world up in a furnace?” @pgarrett pumps up the crowd at the #PeoplesBlockade with a special message to @ChrisMinnsMP pic.twitter.com/7zGogFbL95

— RisingTideAustralia (@RisingTideAus) November 23, 2024

Video Credits: RisingTideAustralia/X

Police have maintained a zero-tolerance approach to ensure public safety and the safe passage of vessels.

The group also organised a kayak safety practice session for the blockade attendees to learn basic safety skills.

Minn’s government tried to stop the People’s blockade earlier, but the Supreme Court ruled the government’s exclusion zone notice.

Per the data shared by the Rising Tide Group on its X handle (formerly Twitter), over 7000 people attended the blockade, with more than 1000 volunteers and 170 arrests.

Among the arrested protesters, 17 people were over 65 years old, and 14 were under 18 years of age.

Apart from these, over 20,000 meals were made during the protests, 170 people were on the night flotilla, and 104 toilets were cleaned every day.

References: Reuters, Sky News

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