Rising cost of protests by pro-Palestine, Rising Tide groups flagged by NSW Police

NSW Police are growing increasingly frustrated with two pro-Palestinian and anti-coal groups, claiming taxpayers have forked out $11m so far as a result of protest activity.

On October 26, Rising Tide crossed Sydney Harbour to show solidarity with people facing floods, rising sea levels and the citizen sailors on the Global Sumud Flotilla. Picture: Dylan Coker

Climate protesters have defended aligning their movement with the pro-Palestine cause after dozens of vessels descended on Sydney Harbour in a not-so-dry “practice” run yesterday, sparking growing frustration from “overburdened” police amid an ever-increasing bill for taxpayers.

Newcastle-based climate ­activist group Rising Tide ­deployed dozens of protesters aboard 30 yellow kayaks off Kirribilli yesterday morning, paddling across the harbour to the Sydney Opera House, with chants of “free Palestine” and “no coal for Israel”.

The flotilla paddled into Bennelong Point flanked by at least five police vessels and a police helicopter overhead.

Rising Tide leader Zack Schofield said the event was “not intended to be a protest”, but “a practice” for a far larger event in Newcastle next weekend, when up to 7500 people are expected to attend a festival-like “blockade” of the port and its coal terminal.

The climate activists had been encouraged to make their way into the CBD following what they openly described as a “PR stunt”, to join the weekly pro-Palestine march at Hyde Park in an act of “solidarity” with the anti-war movement.

Police have become increasingly frustated and concerns over the locations chosen to conduct protests. Picture: Dylan Coker

“People who are concerned about the climate crisis are ­empathetic, caring people, so, when a supposed ally of Australia’s is engaging in a genocide, we want to speak out,” Mr Schofield said.

But police have grown increasingly frustrated with both protest groups, with Police Association of NSW president Kevin Morton accusing the Rising Tide flotilla of adding a “further expense” on top of the pro-Palestine protests that have cost taxpayers upwards of $11m to police so far.

“It is every week now that taxpayers are being unnecessarily asked to cough up the funds for our officers to watch over another protest,” he said.

Rising Tide crossing Sydney Harbour to show solidarity with people facing floods, rising sea levels and the citizen sailors on the Global Sumud Flotilla. Picture: Dylan Coker

“Resources like water police only adds further expense to the ever-increasing bill.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley slammed Rising Tide’s plans to take over the Port of Newcastle.

“This group has a track record of ignoring court rulings and police directions,” she said.

“The middle of a working port is not a place to make a political point.

“It’s dangerous, it’s unlawful and it endangers both protesters and the people who work there.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as Rising cost of protests by pro-Palestine, Rising Tide groups flagged by NSW Police