More than 100 climate protesters have been arrested after they allegedly disobeyed police orders while temporarily closing a major shipping channel in Newcastle.
The demonstration, organized by the activist group Rising Tide, was held at the city’s port this weekend.
Police say that on Sunday a large group of people entered a shipping channel and interfered with the movement of vessels.
The Ports Authority of New South Wales has suspended all shipping.
According to police, 138 people were arrested after refusing to comply with an order to stay away from the canal.
The group, which organized the large, multi-day protest, claimed that forcing a coal ship to remain in dock was a victory.
Police say they have “a zero-tolerance approach to actions that threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels.”
A spokesperson for the New South Wales Ports Authority said all shipments had been suspended.
More than 100 of the protesters who took part in the Rising Tide demonstration were arrested in Newcastle (pictured)
The climate protesters were arrested after failing to comply with a police directive to clear the shipping channel at Newcastle Harbor (pictured, police clash with protesters).
“In consultation with NSW Police and stakeholders, a risk-based decision has been made to temporarily suspend dispatch,” the spokesperson said.
“The protest activity has compromised the security of the shipping channel and has created an unacceptable potential risk to public safety, the port and the environment.”
Footage shows about 150 people waving anti-coal signs and dressed in bright colors paddling toward the canal in kayaks.
Officers in police inflatable boats and jet skis were seen dragging protesters toward the police boat.
New South Wales laws make it illegal to obstruct the safe passage of a vessel.
The police are not asking anyone else to block the shipping channel.
“Illegal activity can result in fines or imprisonment,” police say in a statement.
“NSW Police will take a zero-tolerance approach to actions that threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels.”
There were about 150 people waving anti-coal signs and paddling toward the canal in kayaks. Police used jet skis and police boats to arrest protesters (protesters pictured gathering in Newcastle Harbour)
A spokeswoman for protest organizers Rising Tide said in a video that protesters were ecstatic about disrupting the boats.
“We have blocked the largest coal port in the world,” said the spokeswoman, identified as Alexa in the caption.
‘The humor here on the beach is just incredible. “Everyone is very enthusiastic, excited and hopeful.”
The attempt to block the ship was part of a 10-day “protest” organized by climate activist group Rising Tide, which has seen thousands of people descend on the world’s largest coal port.
Midnight Oil frontman and former Labor MP Peter Garrett performed at the protest with his bandmate, guitarist Martin Rotsey.
‘Is the real threat to the Hunter region a group of citizens exercising their democratic rights or continuing to export the materials that will burn the world in a furnace?’ Garrett said.
Thousands of people attended the demonstration (in the photo)
Last year, more than 100 people were arrested at the event, which organizers said was the largest civil disobedience for climate justice in Australian history.
Earlier this month, New South Wales Police launched proceedings in the New South Wales Supreme Court to have the protest deemed unauthorized on security grounds.
Judge Desmond Fagan ruled in favor of the New South Wales police and banned planned protests on land and water.
But Rising Tide said they retained the right to peaceful assembly.
Maritime NSW attempted to create an exclusion zone around Newcastle Harbour, but that decision was overturned following a successful Supreme Court challenge by the Rising Tide.
Newcastle City Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge issued a statement earlier this month providing support for the event to take place at Camp Shortland, as long as event organizers told people to stay out of the shipping channel.