By Rachael Ward and Caitlin Powell
More than a hundred people have been arrested in one day for pausing activity at the world’s biggest coal port as part of a paddle protest.
Protesters formed a “blockade” in Newcastle Coal Port on Sunday for a third day of unrest, calling on the federal government to rule out new coal and gas mines and for a 78 per cent tax on coal and gas exports.
Ships temporarily stopped travelling through the area as a result, the Port Authority said.
“In consultation with NSW Police and stakeholders a risk-based decision has been made to temporarily pause shipping,” a spokesperson told AAP.
“The protest activity has compromised the safety of the shipping channel and led to an unacceptable potential risk to public safety, the port and the environment.”
A large group entered a shipping channel midmorning and interfered with the movement of vessels, police said.
An operation is ongoing and 138 people have been arrested after police said the group refused to move away from the channel.
NSW Police requested that people not enter the harbour with the intention to obstruct other users of the port, for their safety and that of other port users.
“The NSW Police Force will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to actions which threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels,” they said in a statement.
The safe passage of vessels was protected by law and police warned “unlawful activity may result in fines or imprisonment”.
A woman, 26, and two men, 27 and 59, were arrested on Saturday and charged with not complying with a direction by an authorised officer relating to safety.
Several others were “assisted by police when they struggled to return to shore”, police said.
Event organiser Rising Tide said nine people were arrested on Saturday.
“We should have the right to disrupt an industry that is destroying our children’s futures for profit and not paying its fair share back to The Hunter,” organiser Zack Schofield told reporters on Sunday.
Greens leader Adam Bandt also attended on Sunday, wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “No More Coal & Gas”.
“People here today are taking action because they know that you can’t put the fire out when you’re pouring petrol on it,” he said.
“We just can’t open any new coal and gas mines if we’re to have a chance of tackling the climate crisis.”
Former environment minister and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett performed at an associated festival on Saturday along with musicians including John Butler and Angie McMahon.
He hit out at what he described as “overreach” from authorities for attempting to stop the peaceful protest event.
Court challenges to the event had previously been told some protesters could seek to be arrested to attract publicity.
More than 100 people were arrested at a similar event in 2023.
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