Activists have blocked two more coal ships from entering the Port of Newcastle on the fourth day of the Rising Tide protest, bringing the total number of ships turned around by campaigners this weekend to three.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people have gathered at Rising Tide\u2019s annual climate protest<\/a> at the world\u2019s largest coal port. The blockade began on Thursday and will continue until Tuesday. Hundreds have kayaked into the port, with many more watching on from the beach.<\/p>\n New South Wales police said on Sunday evening there had been 141 arrests since the protest began. Of those arrested, 121 adults were charged with various offences under the Crimes Act and the Marine Safety Act.<\/p>\n Eighteen juveniles were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act, police said.<\/p>\n Three activists secured themselves to the anchor chain and sides of a ship on Sunday as part of a Greenpeace<\/a> Australia Pacific action, according to the environment group.<\/p>\n The group said that one member of the trio, who was attached to the anchor chain, \u201cdisembarked \u2026 due to changing weather conditions\u201d.<\/p>\n The other two, who were suspended on the side of the ship, were arrested after seven hours. Greenpeace said no charges were laid as of Sunday evening. Police said inquiries were \u201congoing\u201d in relation to the two women \u201carrested aboard a ship off the Newcastle coastline\u201d.<\/p>\n The activists unfurled a banner that stated \u201cPhase out coal and gas\u201d and painted the words \u201cTimeline now!\u201d on the ship.<\/p>\n Greenpeace activists scaled a coal ship at Newcastle on Sunday. Photograph: Greenpeace<\/p>\n Elen O\u2019Donnell, a doctor and Greenpeace activist who participated in Sunday\u2019s action, said: \u201cWe are taking action today, alongside thousands of people who have joined Rising Tide\u2019s blockade, to show Australia\u2019s leaders that if the government won\u2019t act, the people will.\u201d<\/p>\n Sign up: AU Breaking News email<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAustralia is the world\u2019s third-largest fossil fuel exporter, and its outsized role in the climate crisis calls for serious action. Every shipment of coal that leaves this port contributes to more devastating bushfires, floods and cyclones,\u201d O\u2019Donnell said.<\/p>\n Rising Tide said it stopped a second ship from entering the port on Sunday.<\/p>\n The Port Authority of NSW said four ships had been disrupted on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cFour ship movements were prevented from being completed as per the schedule today, which included two non-coal cargo vessels,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of these was rescheduled and has already been safely moved out of port this afternoon. Maintaining the safe operation of the port and ensuring the safety of maritime workers and the general public remains the highest priority.\u201d<\/p>\n The authority said all shipping movements were being conducted in consultation with NSW police. Shipping was suspended for a time before resuming at 4pm.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n Sign up to Breaking News Australia<\/p>\n Get the most important news as it breaks<\/p>\n Privacy Notice: <\/strong>Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on theguardian.com<\/a> to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy<\/a>. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy<\/a> and Terms of Service<\/a> apply.<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n