NSW Police say they've arrested 138 protesters in Newcastle Harbour for allegedly blocking the shipping channel in the world's largest coal port.

In short:

NSW Police have arrested 138 people for allegedly defying directions not to enter the shipping channel in Newcastle Harbour.

The Port Authority has temporarily paused shipping movements due to safety concerns.

What’s next:

A police operation on the harbour is continuing.

  • Sasha@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    12·
    5 hours ago

    Something not being talked about is the fact that it’s actually been extremely difficult to get arrested, so a whole lot more people would have been out there at the time.

    I’ve spoken to friends still in Newy and many are just towed back in and released, only to paddle out and have it repeated.

    I was one of the three arrested yesterday, we actually had a fair few more come out with us. Some were arrested then released without charge, one kayak was towed back in something like 8 times and not arrested at all. It was absurd.

    I think we were arrested because we made it the furthest out and actively fought against the jet ski cops. We had them spinning in circles so they couldn’t bring us back into the so called “safety zone.”

      • Sasha@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        10·
        3 hours ago

        Thanks for your kind words! 💚💚💚

        I’m afraid I’m unable to offer much as of now as my bail conditions required me to leave Newcastle until my court date.

        For the most part it should all be over now, but who knows, many people are frustrated that the actual blockade was only a few hours long so we may yet see some more arrests.

        All I know at this stage is police have been confiscating paddles and things to stop people coming out onto the water, which is probably an overreach of their powers as it’s perfectly legal to be on the water.