2023-11-27 20:42:36
More than a hundred climate activists have been arrested after being accused of blocking the Newcastle coal port, the world’s largest of its kind, for 30 hours during an action that took place this weekend.
In total, 109 people have been arrested, including 49 men and 60 women, five of whom were minors, who have been released, although the Police have indicated that they will be “treated” as alleged young criminals.
Two of the protesters, Johan Wurcker, 65; and Isaac Leonard, 23; have received two fines of 650 and 600 Australian dollars, respectively, after pleading guilty to operating a vessel after the deadline to legally protest had expired.
The two appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Monday, after dozens of kayaks and floats were involved, aimed at drawing attention to global warming. The rest will appear on January 11, 2024.
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Climate action group Rising Tide said it will continue to hold protests until the state and federal governments do more to address climate change, Australian television network ABC has reported.
“That is the option we are giving the Government: either it does its job and confronts the industry that is causing the crisis, or people will continue to put themselves in situations like this,” said group spokesman Zack Schofield.
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