School climate strike: Thousands pour into Brisbane CBD
Thousands of students and supporters have poured into the centre of Brisbane to protest the Government’s lack of climate change action.
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THOUSANDS of students and supporters have poured into the centre of Brisbane as they prepare to strike over climate change action.
Many children were decked in school uniform have slipped afternoon classes to attend the protest.
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Chants of “Stop Adani” and “ScoMo (Prime Minister Scott Morrison) has got to go” have been sung by the large crowd, standing strong despite the sizzling heat.
The crowd plans to march as one to Parliament House at 2pm.
The group is one of many strikes happening across the country and the world today.
Queensland political leaders said they would prefer students not skip school and that such protests be held on weekends.
“I honestly believe a weekend would have been a great opportunity for not just students, but for families and the broaderpublic in general to support issues around climate change,” she said.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington agreed the students should be in class. “Kids should not be striking,” Ms Frecklington said.
The Queensland protests took place in cities and regional centres across the state including Townsville, Whitsundays,Mackay, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Beaudesert.
Accompanying hundreds of students at today’s Brisbane strike were parents and grandparents.
Kenmore mother Amy Harrison she was happy for her two daughters to miss an afternoon of school, with her older daughter Grace, 8, wanting to attend.
“She heard about it and asked me if we could go — how could I say no?” she said.
“It’s a serious issue and it’s likely only going to get worse as time goes on.”
Father Adam Swift said he too was prompted by his daughter, Violet, who wanted to march today.
“It was something she wanted to do - she is across a lot of the climate change talk out there, she watches BTN (Behind the News) at school,” he said.
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