Climate Protesters Block World’s Largest Coal Port; Over 100 Arrested
NEWCASTLE, Australia (WHN) – A 30-hour blockade of the world’s largest coal port by thousands of climate activists has ended, leading to more than 100 arrests in a major act of civil disobedience aimed at Australia’s fossil fuel industry. The protest at the Port of Newcastle began Friday. It concluded Saturday afternoon.
The activist group Rising Tide organized the demonstration. Approximately 3,000 people participated in the event, which saw hundreds of protesters in kayaks and small boats swarm the shipping channel to prevent coal freighters from entering or leaving the port.
New South Wales Police confirmed the arrest of 109 individuals. The group included five minors. Charges range from breaching authorized protest rules to failing to move on after the officially sanctioned protest window closed.
The demonstration was authorized to run for a specific period. Authorities report that dozens of protesters remained in the water after the permit expired at 4 p.m. on Saturday, prompting police action.
“The 30-hour blockade of the world’s largest coal port is over,” Rising Tide organizer Zack Schofield said in a statement. Schofield highlighted the involvement of a “broad cross-section of the community,” including students, grandparents, and scientists.
The Port of Newcastle is a critical hub for global energy markets. It exports approximately 165 million tonnes of coal annually.
Protesters issued clear demands to the Australian government. They called for an immediate halt to all new coal and gas projects. The group also demanded a 75% tax on coal export profits to fund a transition for industry workers and affected communities.
“This is the biggest civil disobedience action in Australia’s history,” stated Alexa Stuart, another Rising Tide organizer. Stuart condemned the government’s continued approval of new coal mines as “insanity.”
The action comes as Australia, a major global supplier of fossil fuels, faces increasing pressure over its climate policies. The government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced criticism from environmental groups for approving new coal developments despite committing to climate targets.
Police operations involved a significant deployment of resources. Marine Area Command, Police Rescue, and local officers were on-site to manage the situation and conduct arrests.
Those arrested were taken to multiple police stations for processing. Bail conditions for some of the protesters reportedly include a ban from entering the Newcastle local government area, according to police documents.
