More than 600 protesters join Rising Tide's kayak flotilla at Newcastle coal
Rising Tide organized a kayak protest with over 600 participants at Newcastle's port against coal and gas exports.
Rising Tide organized a protest on Saturday at Horseshoe Beach near Newcastle. Newcastle has Australia's largest coal port.
More than 600 people signed up to paddle kayaks at 11am. Organizers expected up to 800 people total.
The group gave speeches and poetry. They demanded quick climate action and an end to coal and gas exports from Australia.
On Friday, the NSW Supreme Court ruled the protest could go ahead. Newcastle police had tried to block it over safety concerns.
Justice Edward Muston found that public interest in facilitation of political expression outweighs the legitimate concerns. Rising Tide organizer Joe Hallenstein criticized the governments for approving new coal and gas projects.
- 600 with up to 800 expected
- Kayakers registered
- Horseshoe Beach, Newcastle
- Protest location
- World's largest
- Coal port status
- More than 150 protesters
- Previous harbour blockade arrests
Why it mattersThe court ruling protects the right to protest. It shows that peaceful demonstrations can happen even when police raise security concerns.
AustraliaThe protest puts direct pressure on the Australian government's coal and gas policies at the country's biggest export port, as climate groups push for alignment between global pledges and domestic approvals.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 12 h ago
