Police have praised the behaviour of 150 people who took part in a protest on Newcastle Harbour on Saturday.
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The protest, believed to have been organised by Extinction Rebellion, was held on Horseshoe beach near Nobbys and involved a mass paddle on the harbour.
An event advert on Facebook dubbed the protest the 'People's 9th Blockade of the Worlds Largest Coal Port'. Similar protests have been held at various times over the past decade.
Police established Operation NCC Harbour Blockade 2020 to ensure the safety of the community, local businesses and participants involved.
About 150 people attended the water demonstration, Police said, and no arrests were made.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District, Marine Area Command, Public Order and Riot Squad, Northern Region Operational Support Group, Traffic and Highway Patrol, Police Dog Unit, Police Transport Command, Police Rescue, PolAir and other specialist resources were deployed.
The Newcastle Herald understands no shipping movements were disrupted.
"NSW Police respects the right of individuals and groups to protest and we also appreciate this year, people have been encouraged to express their views and demonstrate in alternative ways due to COVID-19," Operation Commander, Acting Inspector Mark Lawson said.
"As with any protest activity, officers have a responsibility to the community to ensure they can go about their normal activities without being impacted or put at risk.
"We are extremely pleased with the events of today, with people attending and expressing their views in a COVID-Safe way."
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