Climate activists from the Rising Tide movement have taken dramatic action in Newcastle, entering the city's busy shipping channel and disrupting port operations as part of their ongoing environmental protest.
Live Updates from the Protestival
The Newcastle Herald is providing live coverage of the unfolding events at what organisers are calling a 'protestival' - a combination of protest and festival. The demonstration coincides with Black Friday, November 29 2025, with events beginning around midday and continuing throughout the day.
According to initial reports, multiple Rising Tide members have entered the shipping channel waters, directly interfering with maritime traffic in one of Australia's busiest coal export hubs. The group has confirmed that their actions have 'disrupted the port' as part of their campaign against fossil fuel exports.
Organised Civil Disobedience
The protest represents the latest in a series of coordinated actions by climate activists targeting Newcastle's coal infrastructure. Rising Tide has established itself as a prominent voice in the environmental movement, employing non-violent civil disobedience to draw attention to what they describe as the climate emergency.
Newcastle's port plays a crucial role in Australia's coal export industry, making it a frequent target for climate campaigners. Today's action appears carefully timed to maximise visibility during the busy Black Friday shopping period.
Community Engagement and Media Coverage
The Newcastle Herald has deployed multiple journalists to cover the event, including reporter Sage Swinton, who has deep connections to the Hunter region, along with Simon McCarthy and photographer Marina Neil. The news organisation is encouraging public participation through their comments section and welcoming news tips, photos, and videos from readers witnessing the events.
The protestival format suggests a combination of serious political action with community festival elements, reflecting a broader trend in environmental activism that seeks to build movement participation through engaging events.
As the situation develops, authorities are monitoring the protest closely. The disruption to shipping operations represents a significant escalation in tactics for the climate movement in the region, potentially carrying legal consequences for participants while generating substantial media attention for their cause.
