A GROUP of anti-coal activists that protest organisers have dubbed the "Newcastle 19" are due to face court on Tuesday.
Frontline Action on Coal said the protesters, who were part of a blockade of the city's port in September 2018, would face sentencing on Tuesday morning.
"Back in September 2018, the group affiliated with Frontline Action on Coal shut down both the NCIG port and Port Warratah for six hours in a bold and peaceful action to send a clear message: end coal," the group said in a statement.
The Newcastle Herald reported at the time that the protesters due to face court on Tuesday were part of larger climate-change action across the city.
Charges laid against a total of 26 protesters at the time included entering enclosed lands, hindering the working of mining equipment, interfering with the conduct of a business, and being armed with intent to commit and indictable offence.
Frontline Action on Coal dubbed the hindering the working of mining equipment charges "unprecedented".
"The charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment and has never been used before for coal port protests," the group said in a statement.
NSW Police Superintendent Brett Greentree said in 2018 that despite being warned, "some demonstrators continued to set out to break the law and put themselves and others at risk".
