Activists Halt Operations at World's Largest Coal Port
Climate protesters from the group Rising Tide have escalated their campaign against the world's largest coal port in Newcastle, with sixteen demonstrators locking themselves onto a coal loader at Newcastle Harbour on Monday morning. This marks the latest development in a weekend of sustained protest action that has seen multiple arrests and significant disruptions to coal shipments.
Personal Stories Fuel Protest Action
Among those locked to the coal loader was Fiona Lee, who revealed she lost her Taree home during the Black Summer bushfires in 2019. "I lost my home along with 150 others in my community," Lee stated in a video from the protest site. "I cannot stand by as our government continues to approve new coal and gas projects that are making these unnatural disasters worse."
The group's demands include a just transition for all workers in the coal industry and a 78 percent tax on coal profits to ensure workers are properly supported during the shift away from fossil fuels. The protesters were joined by a 17-year-old high school student who expressed the urgency felt by younger generations, saying, "Young people like me simply cannot afford to ask nicely for climate action anymore."
Weekend of Widespread Disruption
The Monday morning action follows a weekend of major protests that resulted in 141 people being charged with maritime offences for blocking ships from entering the port. According to authorities, those arrested included 18 juveniles and 121 adults facing various charges under the Crimes and Marine Safety Acts.
In separate incidents over the weekend:
- Three protesters were seen scaling a ship's anchor and unveiling a banner reading "Phase Out Coal and Gas"
- The coal ship RAGNAR was forced to turn around after approximately 95 people in 50 kayaks blocked its path on Sunday afternoon
- Another coal ship was turned around on Saturday following similar actions
- Greenpeace activists boarded a coal ship and wrote "Timeline Now" on its side using non-toxic paint
Violent Incident Mars Peaceful Protests
Authorities reported a violent assault at nearby Foreshore Park involving protest attendees. A 46-year-old man was hospitalized with back, arm, leg and head lacerations. A 17-year-old boy also received treatment for minor lacerations after allegedly intervening in the incident.
An 18-year-old man was arrested in relation to the assault and charged with two counts each of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV) and wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (DV). He was refused bail and is expected to appear before Bail Division Court on Monday.
Protesters Vow to Continue Actions
Mina Bui Jones, who was arrested on Saturday for swimming into the shipping lane to disrupt coal delivery, described the experience as "empowering." She noted that seeing ships turned around demonstrated "people stepping up where our government is failing us."
"It was actually beautiful to be out on the water, to see this magnificent harbour," Jones reflected. "It was thrilling to see the boats go back into their berth, and to know that we had prevented a coal ship from making a delivery... was thrilling and I would do it again."
The ongoing protests at Newcastle Harbour represent one of the most significant coordinated climate actions in recent Australian history, highlighting growing public demand for faster transition away from fossil fuels.
