Two climate activists in Australia have brought the world’s busiest coal port to a halt, strapping themselves to a massive piece of machinery and refusing to come down. This is the latest in a series of similar acts that have been going on for more than a week.
Blockade Australia, an organisation that is focused on climate change “strategic direct action,”Two of the group’s members were seen clambering atop the Port of Newcastle equipment. They stopped working there on Tuesday night. The activists shared footage of them suspended from large loading machines.
“Zianna and Hannah have shut down Newcastle coal port, abseiling from coal handling machinery. The port cannot resume operations until the pair are removed by police,”The group stated that they identified the activists only by their first names and added “This is the tenth consecutive day of disruption to Newcastle coal port and its supply rail network.”
The protest stunt follows at least 16 similar actions over the last week or so, the group said, some targeting the rail line near the port, the world’s largest for coal exports.
A second group of activists broke into the port on Tuesday as part of another demonstration. “hit emergency stop buttons”They were able to use the machines and then strap themselves onto another piece of equipment. Following this, they were arrested and brought to a stop. “several hours”They are scheduled to appear before the court within the next few days.
The disruptions have drawn the ire of state officials, with New South Wales’ Environment Minister Matt Kean calling them “completely out of line”Encourage police officers to “throw the book”According to ABC, 19 protesters have been detained so far in this month’s demonstrations.
“Pull your heads in, get out of the way and stop hurting other people going about their lives, running their businesses,”The minister spoke during Wednesday’s radio interview. “There are hundreds of ways to make your views known and advocate for change, but risking the lives of rail workers is definitely not one of them.”
The activists could face charges that carry maximum sentences of 25 years in prison, NSW’s police commissioner Mick Fuller said, noting that local law enforcement has created a “strike force”Future disturbances will be addressed at the port.
READ MORE: The trillion dollar push to decarbonize global shipping
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