By Anna Prytz
Thousands of students have rallied in Melbourne as part of nationwide protests demanding climate action from the federal government.
The crowd, which organisers School Strike 4 Climate estimated at close to 20,000 people, gathered at Treasury Gardens on Friday afternoon for a rally and march in response to this month’s federal budget.
Protesters take part in a climate change rally in Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens on Friday.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
“We are here to tell the government to stop funnelling money into dirty energy,” 16-year-old organiser Anj Sharma told the crowd to huge cheers.
A sea of signs called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to stop funding gas and invest in climate change solutions.
Ms Sharma read Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s office number to the crowd telling them to ring and email him to demand he not allocate budget funding to fossil fuels but invest in Australia’s renewable energy sector.
After a Welcome to Country, speeches and a musical performance, the crowd marched down Spring Street towards La Trobe Street and into the city at about 3pm.
Chants rang out including “Hey ho, ScoMo’s got to go”, “Stand up, fight back” and “This is what democracy looks like.”
Josie, 14, from Richmond High School said not enough adults were taking action so students had to do it now. “It’s such a big issue. We have to step up,” she said.
“The Earth is getting hotter than my imaginary boyfriend,” one sign written by students from Camberwell Girls Grammar School read.
One student from the school, Charli Lincke, 16, took part in a walk-out on Friday morning to deliver a letter to Mr Frydenberg’s nearby office.
Camberwell Girls Grammar School year 11 student Charli Lincke (holding sign) and year 12 student Holly Williams lead classmates into the city for the rally on Friday.
“We knew we needed to make a big statement, especially with us being in Josh Frydenberg’s electorate, we needed to let him know we’re really disappointed in his decision to fund gas,” she said.
“We need to take big action and make big waves so the government listens to us.
“Everyone’s super excited. They understand it’s a really important fight.”
Charli said her school had been supportive of the striking students.
“They understand the importance of building women who fight for their future,” she said.
The Melbourne event was one of about 50 planned across the country, with large crowds gathering in Sydney’s CBD, and comes after large student protests in 2019.
Friends Jasmine and Malaya, in year 10 at Academy of Mary Immaculate in Fitzroy, said they had been attending climate change rallies since Year 8.
“We just don’t want to grow up in a world where everything’s dying,” Jasmine said.
Students from Camberwell Girls Grammar School hold up a hand-written sign at Friday’s protest in Treasury Gardens.Credit:Anna Prytz
President of Victorian Trades Hall Council Deb James spoke told the crowd to stand up and fight back as the Liberal government was threatening their future.
“The Morrison government should be very worried that you will all be old enough to vote soon,” she said.
The Australian Education Union, Independent Education Union and National Tertiary Education Union issued a joint statement of solidarity with students.
“We support and admire their courage and dedication, and we share their deep concerns,” the statement said.
After listening to speeches, the crowd marched from Treasury Gardens into the city.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
“Australia’s lack of meaningful action on climate change is a lost opportunity and has become an international embarrassment. Worse, it is a reckless and irresponsible betrayal of future generations.
“Our three unions represent nearly 300,000 education workers across Australia who care deeply about the future of their students.”
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Anna is an education reporter at The Age.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvdmljdG9yaWEvdGhvdXNhbmRzLW9mLXN0dWRlbnRzLWpvaW4tY2xpbWF0ZS1yYWxseS1pbi1tZWxib3VybmUtMjAyMTA1MjEtcDU3dHZiLmh0bWzSAXZodHRwczovL2FtcC50aGVhZ2UuY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL3ZpY3RvcmlhL3Rob3VzYW5kcy1vZi1zdHVkZW50cy1qb2luLWNsaW1hdGUtcmFsbHktaW4tbWVsYm91cm5lLTIwMjEwNTIxLXA1N3R2Yi5odG1s?oc=5
2021-05-21 04:00:29Z
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