Around 80 people attended the School Strike 4 Climate protest at Taree's Fotheringham Park on Friday morning, May 21.
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The school students who attended were supported by the Knitting Nannas, Extinction Rebellion, and general members of the public, plus some people who wandered in to find out what was happening. One person driving past tooted their horn in encouragement.
A COVID safety plan was in place, with people checking in with a QR code, and free masks and sanitisers made available.
Local high school student Huon Campbell-Ellis was the first to take the microphone to deliver a passionate and eloquent speech, reminding everyone of the bushfires and floods and the links to climate change.
"Our government has a responsibility to take decisive action," he said.
"We need to raise our voices so loud we can't be ignored. We have to make sure our message is loud and strong so people can hear us.
"We are fighting to save our planet and end climate change."
Year seven student Evie Wood McGuire followed with statistics showing that six years and 25 months was how long we have to reach zero emissions before climate change is irreversible.
Organiser of the event, year 12 student Finlay O'Connell thanked everyone for coming and again reminded everyone of the natural disasters our region has endured.
"Australia has been affected the first and the worst and our government is refusing to take action," she said.
"The government isn't doing anything to try and protect us.
"Last year the government invested 10 and a half billion dollars, that's $20,000 a minute for the whole year, into the fossil fuel industry.
"We don't have any time to waste. We need to act now!" she exhorted the crowd.
With the speeches finished, 11-year-old Shiloh Herzberg-Nicholls revved up the crowd leading singing chants, after which the rally marched up the road to protest in front of Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie's office.
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