Protesters Paddle Into Sydney Harbour To Prepare For Blockade

Dozens of protesters in kayaks paddled out into Sydney Harbour on Sunday morning as they practice for an upcoming blockade at the largest coal port in the world.

Environmental activist group Rising Tide organised more than 60 people to kayak across the Harbour from Milsons Point to the Opera House in preparation for a blockade at Newcastle Coal Port in November, demanding the end of new coal and gas projects.

It comes as part of a multi-day event next month to blockade the Newcastle Harbour and demand more dedication from the federal government to prevent climate change, including the end of new coal and gas projects.

“Newcastle exports about 1 per cent of total global carbon emissions, equal to almost Australia’s entire domestic emissions,” said Rising Tide spokesperson Zack Schofield. “We’re calling for the end of new coal or gas projects approved by the state and federal governments, and for the imposition of a 78 per cent export profits tax on fossil fuel exports to fund coal communities like the Upper Hunter, which are currently being abandoned by our state government.”

The protesters were flanked by up to five police vessels, with a NSW Police spokesperson telling Newswire,  police were aware of the event and were continuing to “liase with stakeholders to ensure the safety of attendees, the community, and police.”

Almost 200 arrested in previous action

Last year, 170 protestors, including 14 children, were arrested after taking part in a successful blockade at Nobby’s Beach in Newcastle during what the group dubbed a “Protestival”, which saw artists such as Peter Garrett, John Butler, and Angie McMahon perform for audiences of thousands.

It comes as NSW has radically expanded protest laws in previous years, purposely targeting climate activists by introducing new legislation preventing protesters from blocking roads, bridges and ports to include railway lines.

Legal experts are urging police to drop 129 charges against protesters, after a Newcastle court found four people involved in the 2024 event not guilty of serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility.

“It’s appropriate that the magistrate found that Rising Tide members who engaged in peaceful, symbolic protest were not guilty of NSW’s draconian anti-protest laws,” said  Schofield at the time. “These laws were designed to silence political dissent and protest, but Chris Minns needs to learn that you cannot arrest your way out of a climate crisis.”

“Premier Minns can expect to see increasing numbers of people continue to protest until our government starts seriously funding the transition away from coal and acting with the urgency commensurate to this crisis.”