403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
Climate activists block Australia’s largest coal port, many got arrested
(MENAFN) Climate change protesters blocked operations at the world’s largest coal export port in Australia on Sunday, leading police to arrest 141 people for disrupting port activities, according to local broadcaster.
The protest took place at the Port of Newcastle, one of Australia’s largest shipping hubs, which halted all operations for three hours as hundreds of demonstrators in kayaks and small watercraft obstructed coal ships. The action was part of Rising Tide’s annual climate protest.
In a statement, the Port Authority of New South Wales said: “A dynamic risk-based decision was made to abort the movement of an inbound ship movement … due to alleged protester activity posing a risk to safety,” noting that the suspension affected two other vessels as well. The Ragna coal ship was reportedly turned back on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier, on Saturday, the Cemtex Leader bulk carrier was redirected due to swimmers in the shipping channel but was able to dock on Sunday morning. Another vessel carrying alumina for the Tomago smelter was unable to berth on Sunday and has been rescheduled for Monday.
Among those arrested were two Greenpeace activists who suspended themselves from a bulk carrier while displaying a banner reading “Phase out coal & gas.” Authorities emphasized a “zero-tolerance approach to actions which threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels,” maintaining a marine exclusion zone until Monday.
Rising Tide organizer Zack Schofield criticized the police response, while the group hailed its action as a success for forcing two bulk carriers to turn away. Greenpeace campaigner Joe Rafalowicz said activists were demanding the government halt new fossil fuel projects. Former Fire and Rescue New South Wales commissioner Greg Mullins also joined the protest, stating: “What lifts me is seeing everyday Australians saying no, we're not going to sit back and let the filthy polluting fossil fuels ruin our planet.”
The blockade, described by Rising Tide as a “people’s blockade,” has been ongoing in Newcastle since Thursday. New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley condemned the protest, warning that anyone violating marine exclusion zones would face arrest.
The protest took place at the Port of Newcastle, one of Australia’s largest shipping hubs, which halted all operations for three hours as hundreds of demonstrators in kayaks and small watercraft obstructed coal ships. The action was part of Rising Tide’s annual climate protest.
In a statement, the Port Authority of New South Wales said: “A dynamic risk-based decision was made to abort the movement of an inbound ship movement … due to alleged protester activity posing a risk to safety,” noting that the suspension affected two other vessels as well. The Ragna coal ship was reportedly turned back on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier, on Saturday, the Cemtex Leader bulk carrier was redirected due to swimmers in the shipping channel but was able to dock on Sunday morning. Another vessel carrying alumina for the Tomago smelter was unable to berth on Sunday and has been rescheduled for Monday.
Among those arrested were two Greenpeace activists who suspended themselves from a bulk carrier while displaying a banner reading “Phase out coal & gas.” Authorities emphasized a “zero-tolerance approach to actions which threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels,” maintaining a marine exclusion zone until Monday.
Rising Tide organizer Zack Schofield criticized the police response, while the group hailed its action as a success for forcing two bulk carriers to turn away. Greenpeace campaigner Joe Rafalowicz said activists were demanding the government halt new fossil fuel projects. Former Fire and Rescue New South Wales commissioner Greg Mullins also joined the protest, stating: “What lifts me is seeing everyday Australians saying no, we're not going to sit back and let the filthy polluting fossil fuels ruin our planet.”
The blockade, described by Rising Tide as a “people’s blockade,” has been ongoing in Newcastle since Thursday. New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley condemned the protest, warning that anyone violating marine exclusion zones would face arrest.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
Market Research
More Story
Comments
No comment