“Grief of the burned country” – Climate Crisis Rally in Melbourne Feb 22, 2020
February 26, 2020 at 10:37 am John Englart Leave a comment
Front banner Climate Crisis rally, 22 Feb, 2020
Between 5000 to 6000 people gathered at the State Library on Saturday afternoon in a national day of action on the climate crisis, and marched down Swanston street, up Collins Street and Spring Street finishing outside State Parliament.
The speakers were all very powerful, Sim, a Volunteer firefighter for 20 years said “Being in a burned country is lonely and silent – all the languages are gone – there is the grief of the burned country.” Sim pointed out that these catastrophic fires are with one degree of warming. They will be far worse with another degree of warming.
Before the official speakers the Melbourne Climate Choir performed a number of songs, followed by a song lead by kids from Australian Parents 4 Climate Action and XR Families – an SOS from the Kids.
In January a new alliance of groups formed called Climate Justice Alliance, from a meeting of 87 people from 20 organisations.
Along with a call from Sydney, the group initiated a call to support a National Day of Climate Action on Saturday 22 February, demanding government action and investment on a scale to match the current climate crisis, including:
- 100% renewable energy – No new fossil fuel or nuclear projects. End subsidies to these industries. Zero emissions by 2030. Build a 100% publicly owned renewable energy system by 2030. Phase out fossil fuel industries by 2030.
- A just transition for communities and guaranteed jobs for affected fossil fuel workers. Fund good low emissions jobs in transport, manufacturing, disaster relief, health, education, energy and climate adaptation
- Fund our firies – support communities and affected animals. Increase funding and resources to cope with longer and more intense fire seasons. Pay rural firefighters and reverse cuts to parks and fire services. Guaranteed homes and jobs for fire-affected communities. Guaranteed funding and support for all animals affected by the fires.
- First nations justice. Funding for Indigenous-led land management with jobs on country to repair ecosystems, reduce emissions and reduce fire risk. Land and water rights for Indigenous peoples.
- Make the Climate Criminals pay – Put a levy on fossil fuel companies. They should pay for the crisis they created.
National endorsements:
Australian Parents 4 Climate Action; Australian Student Environment Network (ASEN); Friends of the Earth; GetUp; Retail & Fast Food Workers Union; School Strike 4 Climate; The Future Makers; United Workers Union (UWU)
Victorian endorsements:
Australian Education Union (Victoria) (AEU); Australian Jewish Democratic Society; Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action; Climate Action Moreland; Community and Public Sector Union Victoria (CPSU); Cooperative Power; Democracy in Colour; Disabled and Neurodiverse Workers Alliance (DNWA); Eastern Melbourne Climate Alliance; Earthworker; Extinction Rebellion (Vic); Friends of Banyule; Frontline Action on Coal (FLAC); Geelong Trades Hall; Hills Community for Climate Action; Hills XR; Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania; Industrial Workers of the World (Kulin/Melbourne branch); Maritime Union of Australia (MUA); Moreland XR; National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU); Neighbours United for Climate Action (NUCA); Philippines Australia Solidarity Association (PASA); Redgum Co-operative; Save the Planet; Socialist Alliance; Socialist Alternative; Solidarity; Spirit of Eureka; Stand Together Against Racism; Stop Adani Melbourne; Uni Students for Climate Justice; Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association; Victorian Greens; Victorian Socialists; Victorian Trades Hall Council; Westside XR;
Channel Nine News covered the rally and march and reported: Climate protesters shutdown Melbourne streets in national day of action.
Channel 10 national coverage:
Major Upcoming climate events:
on the march Climate Crisis rally, 22 Feb, 2020
University Students for Climate Justice are organising an event at 1pm Friday March 13 – Sate Library (Facebook Event)
Moreland Climate Fair Saturday March 14 – 10am-2pm Brunswick Bouldering Wall Sydney Rd (Facebook Event)
High school Climate Strike – May 15 – 12pm-3pm Carlton Gardens. (Facebook Event)
Photos from the rally and march:
Hi-res photo versions available from this Flickr album
Entry filed under: Event, news, rallies & protests. Tags: climate crisis, Climate Justice Alliance, Protest, Rally.
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