More green inside the room than out as climate protesters heckle mining executives
If the intent of the protesters was to intimidate and scare delegates, it probably worked — at least for a bit.
The great irony of the protest at Melbourne’s IMARC conference is that there were probably more people on the podium talking about environmental, social and governance issues than there were chief executives spruiking new stockmarket floats and discoveries.
Absent the protesters, there would probably have been a bit of grumbling from some investors and company executives (and the odd business reporter) that the conference was a bit heavy on the social stuff and a bit light on the mining side of the industry.
If the intent of the protesters was to intimidate and scare delegates, it probably worked — at least for a bit. Certainly more than a few attendees who got into the building were shaken up by the anger on display outside. Some probably elected to stay away when they saw the crowd.
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There is nothing fun about walking a gauntlet of angry protesters, and if you’re on the receiving end it is difficult to see a protest as “peaceful” — even if no punches were being thrown — when some of its more aggressive members get close enough to hit you with spittle as they shout “shame”.
It is also certain that the protests did not change a single mind inside. Some met the protest with a shrug that said: “That’s the price of living in a democracy”. Those who already see anyone who attends a climate protest as a feral hippy dismissed it as such.
The fact that the protests occurred in a city whose wealth was founded on the back of Victoria’s rich gold deposits was an irony not lost on attendees either.
But within a few hours, away from the din outside, it was just another busy conference — trade exhibitors were trying sell stuff, CEOs talking up their projects, investors looking for the next 10-bagger and the ESG specialists, albeit a bit bemused, talking up the benefits, socially and economically, of trying to do business the right way.