Around 200 students and supporters gathered in Railway Park in Byron Bay this morning before marching to Peace Park on Main Beach, for a School Strikes 4 Climate event to send a message to the government that coal, gas and oil need to stay in the ground.
Organiser of the Byron Bay event, 16-year-old Lani Field said she wanted to organise the march to create awareness of the fear in young people. ’It’s heartbreaking to see what’s going on around the world and know that not much is really changing in Australia.
‘Australia’s made promises to reach net zero and start acting, but they’ve opened up nine new fossil fuel projects just this year. And it’s just bizarre to me how people are still turning a blind eye and not doing anything. It’s honestly heartbreaking.
‘I just thought I wanted to do something, make a difference.’
Field, who is in year 10 at Byron High, had a large team of supporters helping on the day, who also wanted to see changes made.
‘I think it’s so important just to give us hope, because it can be so overwhelming,’ she said. ‘We’re surrounded by all this stuff all the time, like bombarded on social media, with all these crazy problems, and it feels like we can do nothing.
‘I think if we come together, we have so much power, and we can truly make a difference if we put our mind to it and start taking action in every way we can.’
The march was peaceful, with many adults and tiny tots joining in – marchers were led by a police escort from Railway Park up through Jonson Street and along the beachfront where they were greeted with entertainment and speeches from local talent and environmental groups.
Field was happy with the turnout and said it meant a lot to see so many supporters.
‘The March was great – very powerful. They were enthusiastic, passionate and very loud. passionate. The police presence was great. They led us through slowly and made sure that all the roads were blocked.
‘It was really great and shows how important our message is. Take action. In every way you can, choose it every day, choose the planet. It’s our future.’
Similar strikes were held all around the country today.
Photos Tree Faerie
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