‘Uprising’: Greens leader joins school student climate protest

High schoolers who feel their futures have been “sold out” by politicians have marched through Sydney alongside Greens leader Adam Bandt.

A throng of teenagers who feel their futures have been “sold out” by politicians that don't do enough to slow climate change marched through Sydney on Friday.

The children, many of whom were in uniforms and skipping school to attend the protest, chanted “We f***ing hate gas” and shouted demands of ”climate justice”.

“We’re here today because our future is being sold out by those in charge … serving the interest of the fossil fuel companies rather than honouring their duty of care to young people,” 17-year-old Bailey Linton-Simpkins told the crowd.

The students were demanding action on climate change. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The largely young crowd gathered at Town Hall. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

He was wearing a green Epping Boys blazer and sharing the stage with fellow School Strike 4 Climate organiser Natasha Abhayawickrama.

“In the event of a climate crisis, please do not trust the grown-ups have this under control,” said Ms Abhayawickrama, aged 17.

There were some adults in attendance as well, including Greens leader Adam Bandt, who said the protesters were “heroes”.

“I challenge Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese to come to this rally and tell the students that opening up new coal and gas mines is a good thing,” he told reporters at the rally.

“Liberal and Labor’s climate targets both mean the end of the Great Barrier Reef and a hotter future for these students.”

While many of the student protesters are too young to vote in the election, Mr Bandt predicted the movement would still have an impact.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said the movement would be felt at the ballot box. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Students Sophia Lark, 17, Fedora Hamori, 17, Lourdes Moya Jones, 16 and Elena Parker 16 took part in the rally. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“This election, expect to see a huge uprising at the ballot box, as more young people vote Greens to keep coal and gas in the ground.”

High school seniors Sophia Lark, 17, Fedora Hamori, 17, Lourdes Moya Jones, 16 and Elena Parker, 16 said the fact they wouldn't be able to vote was a major reason why they decided to march.

“We don't have a voice, but this is how we get one,” Ms Lark said.

“We're really relying on other people to vote on our behalf in order for us to have a future.”

Originally published as ‘Uprising’: Greens leader joins school student climate protest