Ships turned, arrests made at annual climate protest
Climate protesters are stepping up efforts to disrupt the fossil fuel industry by scaling and blocking a ship bound for the world’s largest coal port.
Three Greenpeace activists climbed aboard the ship and unfurled a banner reading “Phase Out Coal and Gas” during Rising Tide’s annual “protest” at the Port of Newcastle on Sunday morning.
After police confirmed on Saturday that 11 people were charged with swimming, kayaking and boating for blocking a shipping lane, a further 21 people were charged for similar “maritime-related offences” on Sunday.
Authorities also alleged a violent attack involving participants took place at nearby Foreshore Park, where a 46-year-old man was hospitalized with cuts to his back, arm, leg and head.
An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident but has not yet been charged.
Rising Tide claimed the coal ship RAGNAR was forced to turn back on Sunday afternoon after about 95 people in 50 canoes blocked its path.
A coal ship was also turned away on Saturday.
Earlier, three Greenpeace activists boarded a coal ship and unfurled their banner with the words ‘Timetable Now’ written on the side in non-toxic paint.
One of the activists held on to the ship’s anchor chain.
Mina Bui Jones, who was arrested on Saturday for entering the shipping lane to disrupt coal deliveries, said seeing the ships returning was “empowering” and showed “people are stepping up where our government has failed us.”
“It was so nice to actually be on the water, seeing this gorgeous harbor,” he said.
“It was exciting to see the boats return to their berths and to know we stopped a coal ship from making a delivery was thrilling and I would do it again.”
Greenpeace activist and doctor Elen O’Donnell, who climbed aboard, said the protest effort was a peaceful but meaningful act of defiance.
“We’re trying to send a message that we don’t want any new coal and gas projects and that we need a timeline to phase out fossil fuels,” he said.
“We have been here for a few hours, the workers on the ship were extremely friendly… we managed to prevent the ship from entering the port for the planned coal unloading and we will stay here as long as possible.”
NSW Police said they tried to stop a boat entering the restricted area around 10am on Sunday, but the boat failed to stop.
Authorities said the boat crashed into a police jet ski after refusing to stop, but no injuries were reported.
Alongside the protests, a number of events took place, including talks, workshops and live music led by Australian indie pop band Lime Cordiale.
Newcastle City Council has defended its decision to sanction festive events alongside protests.
Newcastle is the world’s largest coal export port, sending 150 million tonnes a year offshore, mostly to East Asia.
