More than 170 protesters were arrested during November's Newcastle port blockade. (Michael Gorton/AAP PHOTOS)More than 170 protesters were arrested during November's Newcastle port blockade. More than 170 people were arrested during the multi-day event, which organisers Rising Tide hailed as the largest single act of civil disobedience in Australia's history. A spokesperson for Rising Tide criticised the government's approach to protesters advocating for the climate. The court decision comes days after the NSW Supreme Court ruled police powers to move on protesters near places of worship were invalid.