Activist group paddles across Sydney Harbour to demand no new coal or gas projects
Protesters rowed into some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks to demand the government stop further coal and gas projects.
Activist group Rising Tide boarded a flotilla of canoes and rowed into Sydney Harbor on Sunday.
Some held signs saying “new coal + no gas” and one box had a piece of paper taped to their backs saying “stop burning our children’s future”.
The photos were taken during a training session for the blockade in Newcastle, rowing their oars in the air in front of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House.
The group is planning a third blockade of Newcastle Coal Port at the end of November.
It’s the world’s largest coal port, where Rising Tide organizer Zack Schofield is pushing for an end to coal and gas expansion.
“We are calling for an end to new coal and gas expansions and projects in line with what climate science indicates is necessary to keep warming below 3°C,” Mr Schofield told NewsWire.
He rejected ministers’ criticism and rhetoric that today’s event would be “dangerous and chaotic”.
“The Minns government is jumping into the shadows because they can’t do their job as politicians,” Schofield said, claiming the government has not stopped fossil fuel projects and is sending weapons to Israel.
He said Sunday’s practice run went well, with about 60 people climbing from Milson Point to the Opera House steps.
He said they had up to five police cruisers with them.
Police launched proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court last year to have the Newcastle Harbor protest declared unauthorized, citing safety concerns.
Judge Desmond Fagan ruled in favor of NSW Police and banned the protests; This means that protesters cannot be protected from being taken away or arrested if they act illegally during the blockade.
The protest continued, with more than 100 people ultimately charged.
A NSW Police spokesman said no incidents were recorded during Sunday’s incident.
Officials added that police were aware of the event planned to be held at the Port of Newcastle next month.
“Police are aware of the proposed event and continue to liaise with stakeholders to ensure the safety of participants, the community and police,” the spokesman said.
Rising Tide joined the Palestine Action Group (PAG) to call for “justice for Gaza” in Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon.
Activists are pressing for an end to the occupation and disarmament of Israel with a leaflet that reads “this is not peace.”
“Israel continues to massacre Palestinians in Gaza and block urgently needed aid,” PAG said on social media.
“We will not forget and we will continue to fight for free Palestine!”
The post prompted people on Sunday to chant “this is not peace”, “end the occupation, end the siege!”, “Disarm Israel, sanctions immediately!”, “Justice for Gaza” and “Free Palestine!” He encouraged him to join them.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 7, and Israel’s blocking of aid has led to warnings of serious famine.
The conflict was sparked by Hamas’ unprecedented offensive in which Palestinian militants massacred and tortured their way into southern Israel.
Nearly 1,200 people were killed in the worst Jewish death toll since the Holocaust.
A peace agreement was reached earlier this month.
