Thousands lie down in Melbourne’s CBD for climate rally

Melbourne’s CBD has been flooded with thousands of climate warriors, who lay down on the road to protest the federal government’s environmental policies.

Thousands of young climate warriors have taken to the streets of Melbourne’s CBD before lying on the ground in an attempt to pressure the federal government to take strong environmental action.

At the last leg of the march, which finished at the Royal Exhibition Building, hundreds lay down in silence.

The last words spoken by protesters all bellowing in unison were: “We will keep fighting until we win, non bio isn’t direct action, we will show our parliament that we care and we will not be stopped, until we win.”

Protest organiser Alan Cuthbert led the march through Melbourne’s CBD and said they wanted real action on climate change.

“We want the government to tell the truth about climate change,” he said.

“We want a plan for zero net emissions by 2025 and a people’s conference to organise change.”

Earlier the crowds had chanted: “Climate action, NOW, Scomo’s got to go!

“System change for climate change, shut the mines down. Stop Adani, Stop, Stop Adani.”

One passerby yelled at the group: “Go to school you lazy pricks.”

A group called Extinction Rebellion hosted the climate rally “die-in” which began at Victoria’s Parliament House, with protesters going up Swanston St towards the State Library of Victoria.

Most of the protesters are below the age of 30.

Protesters in the climate rally today. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

“The climate emergency is not a political issue, it is a scientific fact,” a statement from the rally organisers stated.

Organisers said 5000 demonstrators were taking part in the rally, which included people lying “dead” on the ground to show the Earth’s sixth mass extinction.

Climate protesters stage “die-in” at Bourke and Swanston Streets in Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/dVx2WvY58V

— Matthew Sadler (@MatthewSadler) May 24, 2019

Climate rally Melbourne: Extinction Rebellion hosting snap protest – https://t.co/uqSjHAniaI https://t.co/T1L7OLSf6p pic.twitter.com/OwLV8EwArb

— Melbourne Informer (@melbourneinform) May 24, 2019

Melbourne’s climate rally well underway. Crowd is in good spirits as Bourke St and Spring St close to traffic. @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/JaHoCVx95X

— Rohan Smith (@Ro_Smith) May 24, 2019

Disruption to City trams today between 12pm and 3pm due to a rally. We will keep you updated through tramTRACKER, Twitter, our website, and live announcements to trams and stops. Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey. Details: https://t.co/TClnuc9bke pic.twitter.com/o63ij3kO67

— Yarra Trams (@yarratrams) May 23, 2019

Protesters outside parliament today. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Dentist Alexandra and anaesthetist Irina brought their children, Thomas and Carla, to the protest.

“I’m concerned for their future, I don’t think we are doing enough,” Irina said.

“As a doctor I know that the environment is one of the most important factors for health.”

Alexandra and Irina with their children Thomas and Carla at the rally

Arda 16 (left) and Lucy 15 (right) have come out to protest climate change. “Our planet is dying, it’s a crisis, but it’s not being treated like one... people need to panic,” Lucy said. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/sgiwYhO2pC

— Grace McKinnon (@GraceMcKinnon10) May 24, 2019

Yas and Norah are here with their guardians protesting for the Climate Save Movement @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/24znLA09Tp

— Grace McKinnon (@GraceMcKinnon10) May 24, 2019

The rally is causing major disruptions to commuters across the city.

The group wants the federal government to declare a climate and ecological emergency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

“Our government isn’t acting in accordance with what science and history tells us,” the group said ahead of the rally.

“We have a moral duty to rebel, whatever our politics. History shows us that peaceful civil disobedience is an effective way to bring about change.”

The action coincides with the Global Climate Strike, also on Friday.

Greens MP Adam Bandt spoke ahead of the rally, praising the youthful crusaders for their action.

“People are demanding that governments step up and take action to make sure the planet we leave for our kids and grandkids isn’t one where there are bushfires every year,” he said.

“People are protesting today to make sure life as we know it is able to continue because things may get worse in a very short period of time.”

With AAP

[e-mail]