UPDATE: In a significant turn of events, NSW Police are currently reviewing charges against 129 protesters following a recent court ruling that acquitted four activists involved in a major blockade at the Port of Newcastle. This development comes just days after a magistrate dismissed the charges against the activists, citing a lack of reliable evidence regarding their actions during the protest.
The blockade, held in November 2023, marked one of the largest civil disobedience events in Australia’s history, drawing thousands to demand that the federal government impose a 78 percent tax on coal and gas exports and refrain from approving new fossil fuel projects. Over 170 individuals were arrested during this multi-day protest, which was organized by Rising Tide.
Following the acquittal, calls are intensifying for authorities to withdraw all pending charges against the remaining protesters. A lawyer representing some of the activists described the court’s decision as “decisive and clear,” suggesting it could set a vital precedent for others facing similar accusations.
Josh Pallas, director of Climate Defenders Australia, emphasized that “the police have spent enough time, money and resources on these charges.” He urged that the public interest—and justice—would best be served by dropping the charges.
In response to the recent ruling, a spokesperson for the NSW Police Force confirmed that they are reviewing all related matters, including the implications of the court’s decisions. The blockade was initially allowed to proceed after the NSW government failed in a Supreme Court attempt to halt it.
Critics of the state’s approach, including Zack Schofield from Rising Tide, argued that the ruling highlighted the flaws in NSW’s stringent anti-protest laws, enacted in 2022 as a response to rising climate activism. Schofield stated, “These laws were designed to silence political dissent and protest, but Chris Minns needs to learn that you cannot arrest your way out of a climate crisis.”
Rising Tide is already planning another massive protest for later this month, expected to attract thousands of participants. This escalation of activism comes on the heels of a NSW Supreme Court ruling that invalidated police powers to disperse protesters near places of worship, marking a significant moment in the ongoing debate over civil rights and climate action in Australia.
As the situation develops, the public is urged to stay informed and engaged, with implications for the future of protest rights and environmental advocacy in the country.
