Anti-coal protest at Newcastle – 66 charged by police

66 charged at Newcastle anti-coal protest May 8, 2016 SMH, Tim Connell Sixty-six people were charged by police on Sunday after they took part in a climate change protest at Newcastle’s coal harbour.

About 1500 joined the demonstration, part of a global day of protests about fossil fuel use.

About 200 took to the water in kayaks and canoes, to impede access to the port, while 57 were arrested for blocking a rail line to the coal loader……. A spokesman from environmental activist group 350.org said climate change was an important issue to raise as the country prepared for the election on July 2.

“On a day when the election [was] called, it’s sending a signal to our elected leaders,” spokesman Campbell Klose said.

Despite the arrests, the protests were mainly peaceful, Mr Klose said……http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/66-charged-at-newcastle-anticoal-protest-20160508-gopbna.html