With the Rising Tide People’s Blockade event well underway, protesters are preparing for their mass flotilla in Newcastle Harbour.
Last week, the NSW Government implemented an Exclusion Zone around Horseshoe Beach and neighbouring sites to prevent participants from entering the port’s shipping channel.
Yellow buoys were laid down on the morning of Friday 28 November, marking off the restricted area.
The zone will stay in place until 7am on Monday 1 December.
It also states, “the area off Horseshoe Beach from the centremost position of the beach to an imaginary line approximately 100m in a north direction, remains available for water activities”.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley admitted it was necessary to “protect lives during shipping movements”.
“The right to protest does not override the right of others to be safe,” she said.
“It doesn’t entitle anyone to put Port of Newcastle workers, emergency crews or police officers in harm’s way.
“This group has repeatedly defied court orders and police directions, entering dangerous waters despite explicit, repeated safety warnings.
“Their reckless behaviour has already caused injuries to police officers.
“That is unacceptable.”
Rising Tide spokesperson Alexa Stuart said the Exclusion Zone was a letdown from the state government.
“We think that the response from the government attempting to do their best to shut down this protest is incredibly disappointing and draconian,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“I think it just shows that they’re more interested in silencing protesters than actually doing the right thing and stop approving new coal and gas and funding the support for our coal workers as we transition away from coal.”
The mass flotilla will launch at 11am on Saturday 29 November, with Ms Stuart stating they will not enter the Exclusion Zone during that display.
“Our flotilla tomorrow will be totally legal, safe, family-friendly,” she said.
“And, we’re expecting more than a thousand people to get out on the water.”
Interestingly, 170 arrests were made during the 2024 event.
For more news stories:
- Rising Tide ‘protestival’ attendees urged to follow safety advice
- Guard-bashing inmate who sparked chaos gets more jail
- Bye bye Barnaby as former Nationals leader quits party
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