nearly 110 climate activists arrested for blocking a port with kayaks

The demonstrators demanded that the government put an end to fossil fuel exports.

One hundred and nine climate activists were arrested in Australia after organizing a floating blockade of the country’s largest coal port, police announced Monday, November 27. A fleet of dozens of kayaks blocked maritime traffic this weekend in the port of Newcastle, on the east coast of Australia, to ask the government to end exports of fossil fuels, on which the country is very dependent . The authorities allowed the demonstration to last for 30 hours, but after that time, police boats began to close in on the activists who refused to leave their position.

Among the 109 people arrested, Alan Stuart, a 97-year-old pastor, said he wanted to prevent climate disasters for his “grandchildren and future generations”. “We chose to risk being shut down because scientists warn that to avoid catastrophic climate collapse we must urgently phase out fossil fuels”, said the environmental group Rising Tide, which organized the blockade. New South Wales police said five minors had also been arrested, without specifying their ages.

WOW‼️ @NSWPolice are advancing on the 100+ CLIMATE PROTECTORS RISKING ARREST at the #PeoplesBlockadestopping coal ships at the world’s largest coal port.

Concerned citizens aged 15-97 are demanding #NoNewCoal and for our leaders to #MakePollutersPay for a #JustTransition. pic.twitter.com/bZgeN04TMG

— RisingTideAustralia (@RisingTideAus) November 26, 2023

Several Australian states have passed strict laws targeting climate protests in recent years. Late last year, climate activist Deanna Coco was sentenced to 15 months in prison and jailed after blocking traffic on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. She was released on bail ten days later, before seeing her sentence overturned on appeal. Australia is one of the largest coal-producing countries in the world, whose government is currently planning to develop new coal mining and oil and gas field projects.