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Climate change strike: Thousands of students cut class to protest

Students across Sydney have taken part in a day of global action with more than 90 countries participating, calling for more action on climate change. The students - many wearing their uniforms - held signs with slogans such as ‘Scomo stop fracking with my future’ and ‘Make earth cool again’.

Thousands of Sydney students have cut class to call for more action on climate change.

Thousands of Sydney students have cut class school to call for more action on climate  change.
Thousands of Sydney students have cut class school to call for more action on climate change.

Police were directing pedestrians on the corner of George and Park St in the city to stop the build up of traffic caused by climate protestors.

City businesses faced
City businesses faced "considerable disruption" with the student strike rallies in the heart of the CBD.

City businesses faced “considerable disruption” with the student strike rallies in the heart of the CBD, with warnings from the Transport Management Centre about street closures and buses being diverted.

The student strike rally in the heart of the CBD. Picture: Mick Tsikas
The student strike rally in the heart of the CBD. Picture: Mick Tsikas
‘There is no plan-et B’ Picture:Mick Tsikas
‘There is no plan-et B’ Picture:Mick Tsikas
Thousands of school students from across Sydney attend the global #ClimateStrike rally at Town Hall Picture: Mick Tsikas
Thousands of school students from across Sydney attend the global #ClimateStrike rally at Town Hall Picture: Mick Tsikas

NSW Business Chamber director of policy and advocacy Chris Lamont said that while they understood climate change was an important issue, “students would make a greater a contribution by spending the day at school learning about measures on how to address climate change”.

The worldwide strike demands urgent political action on climate change. Picture: Dean Lewins
The worldwide strike demands urgent political action on climate change. Picture: Dean Lewins
Police directing pedestrians on the corner of George and Park St in the city to stop the build up of traffic.
Police directing pedestrians on the corner of George and Park St in the city to stop the build up of traffic.

“The closure of streets in the middle of the Sydney CBD will potentially cause considerable disruption for workers and businesses alike,” he said.

Advice from the Transport Management Centre said the march was planned to leave Town Hall at 1:15pm, and will travel along Park Street to Hyde Park.

“Due to the road closures, some buses will be diverting from their usual routes,” the TMC said.

Uniformed school students attended the rally. Picture: Dean Lewins
Uniformed school students attended the rally. Picture: Dean Lewins
#ClimateStrike rally protester’s placard
#ClimateStrike rally protester’s placard
#ClimateStrike rally protesters today. Picture: Mick Tsikas
#ClimateStrike rally protesters today. Picture: Mick Tsikas

“Roads are planned to start closing from 1pm and reopen by 3pm.”

Park Street will be closed between George Street and Elizabeth Street, along with parts of Elizabeth Street, Castlereagh Street, Pitt Street and Druitt Street.

Sydney #ClimateStrike rally protester
Sydney #ClimateStrike rally protester

“Traffic is expected to be heavier than usual on nearby roads including Market Street, King Street, College Street and Macquarie Street so avoid driving in this part of the CBD while the closures are in place.

“Anyone catching public transport is advised to allow extra travel time and plan ahead.”

Today’s countrywide mass protest comes months after students first turned their back on the classroom in the name of climate action, a move condemned by the prime minister.

However, this time the Australian students are taking part in a day of global action with more than 90 countries participating.

The students have also found support from universities, unions, students groups, parents, the Greens and NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley.

Victorian high school student Milou Albrecht was central to organising the strikes and says she will be taking to the streets out of fear of not having a safe future. “We don’t want to strike,” the 14-year-old told AAP.

“We love learning, that’s important for them to know.” The students have three demands: stop the Adani coal mine in central Queensland, no new coal or gas, and 100 per cent renewables by 2030.

Alongside the protest, the Greens on Friday announced a $2.2 billion household battery storage policy, which would provide up to $7000 of incentives per battery.

Small businesses could also get loans of up to $15,000 to help install battery storage.

Greens senator Nick McKim says the students should get a “giant pat on the back”.

“Their future is being stolen from them in brazen daylight robbery by the major political parties,” he told Sky News.

Sydney student protest for political action on climate change. Picture: Mick Tsikas
Sydney student protest for political action on climate change. Picture: Mick Tsikas
Hundreds of thousands of students are expected to strike worldwide demanding urgent political action on climate change. Picture: Mick Tsikas
Hundreds of thousands of students are expected to strike worldwide demanding urgent political action on climate change. Picture: Mick Tsikas

“(They are) saying to those of us currently in power: enough is enough, pull your fingers out and get serious about climate change.”

More than 800 academics have also signed an open letter in solidarity with the striking students, with some even set to join in on protests on Friday.

Milou and her friend Harriet O’Shea Carre were inspired by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg, who has been striking for climate action since last August.

Harriet hopes the prime minister calls a climate emergency and says she will feel terrible if he again condemns their actions.

“It’s totally unfair considering they have been representing (voters) with the expectations they will do what’s in the best interests of the country,” she said.

“They are letting us down every single day they don’t do that.”

While thousands protest for action on climate change some students are taking it as a day off.

In a pool hall in the city there are more than 10 students playing pool, more than 12 in the Internet cafe playing Fortnite and more chatting outside fast food restaurants.

“It is affectively ‘truancy’,” said one young school student who was playing pool.

“We went there and then came here (five minutes after it had started).”

A policeman on the street could be overheard saying: “I have no comment but if I were to comment I would say they should be at school.”

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore addressed the crowd said as a former teacher she said protesting was more important than school.

“I want to say I support your strike, I support your strike and the strike of students around the globe,” she said.

“I support your strike as a former teacher because knowing the importance of education but knowing your future and the future of the planet it more important.

“You are concerned you are fearful and you are angry.

Student protestors today.
Student protestors today.

“But I want to say to you there is some hope, recently a judge in The Land and Environment court refused a coal mine... because he said it was the wrong place and the wrong time.”

Meanwhile Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the climate march was “irresponsible” and called on students to limit their protesting to outside school hours.

“Please feel strongly and passionately about issues like climate change - you should,” she said.

“Young people should feel the right to be able to express themselves, even to protest. But please confine your protest activity to outside school hours - school is there to learn.

“I always encourage young people to be involved in public debate because that’s what being young is about... but it shouldn’t be about skipping school and attending a protest.

“I think that’s irresponsible and anyone who encourages that is not giving the right message.”

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/climate-change-strike-thousands-of-students-cut-class-to-protest/news-story/4e9aea9e19587c57905ff3d2ace52708