The New South Wales police force has initiated a second legal challenge this month against a planned climate protest, targeting the “People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port” scheduled for November in Newcastle.
Organized by the environmental group Rising Tide, the event aims to disrupt coal exports from the Port of Newcastle for 50 hours, with thousands of activists expected to participate by paddling into the port on kayaks and rafts.
The protest, billed as a “protestival,” will also feature workshops and live performances from renowned artists such as Angie McMahon, John Butler, and First Nations rapper Dobby, enhancing its community-focused atmosphere.
This marks the second consecutive year that Rising Tide has organized such an event; last year, police accepted the group’s application to block the port for 30 hours, although over 100 individuals were later charged when the protest extended beyond the agreed time.
Rising Tide aims to halt coal exports while promoting community and climate awareness.Zack Schofield, one of the protest organizers, stated that the police’s challenge of their application through the Supreme Court aims to prevent participants from facing charges related to obstruction and unlawful assembly.
“We’re disappointed that New South Wales Police has chosen to use the resources of the supreme court to attempt to challenge this community positive, family-friendly climate event,” he said.
In response, a spokesperson for the NSW police cited significant safety concerns for participants and the public, emphasizing their objection to the planned assembly.
Meanwhile, NSW Greens’ climate and justice spokesperson Sue Higginson criticized the police’s actions as a “retrograde step,” highlighting the group’s commitment to organizing a safe event.
Civil liberties organizations, including Amnesty International and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, have condemned the police’s challenge as an infringement on the right to protest, asserting that peaceful demonstrations are vital for enacting change in society.