More than 100 people have been charged following a police operation in Newcastle yesterday.
As of 4pm (Sunday 26 November 2023), the Form 1 relating to an authorised assembly in the Port of Newcastle expired.
Police will allege in court that a number of protesters purposely entered the harbour channel after this time despite appropriate warnings and directions by police.
Subsequently, 109 people – including 49 males, 60 females, five of which were juveniles – were arrested.
Of those arrested, 18 people were taken to Newcastle, Waratah and Toronto Police Stations and 86 people were taken to a nearby port facility. They were all issued court attendance notices for operate vessel so as to interfere with others use of waters.
Two men, aged 23 and 65, were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 27 November 2023), while the remainder will appear on Thursday 11 January 2024.
The five juveniles were released and will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.