The Climate Strike

18/09/2019

On Friday, the world will again face another climate strike, similar to the one sparked by students last year but with more traction this time around. I plan on going to check it out – will you?

The major parties here in Australia seem intent on ignoring the approaching strike. Last time there was ridicule from the Coalition government and tacit support from the then somewhat brave opposition, but this time I have seen relatively little from Canberra. Instead, the world’s attention appears to be dragged towards Iran, and Australia’s to an MP that should’ve resigned last week due to her ties to the CCP.

It’s as though the strike has been acknowledged, but if the politicians don’t talk about it it’ll hopefully just go away. Unlikely, given the number of schools, universities, and businesses that have given their staff and students the green light to attend the rallies. And unless I’ve managed to miss something, other than the Greens and a few of the usual suspects in the media – the Guardian, Democracy Now!, etc. – there is not all that much mention of it in the media either.

Of course, there are the reports of businesses backing the event and all that, but there isn’t the same energy in the reporting this time around. Which I think is quite refreshing – that means the numbers are growing organically and that people are organising outside of mainstream  channels, really setting off a grassroots movement.

I plan on attending the strike at Brisbane, which will be interesting – the last protest, which I also attended, was for the right to protest. There was a massive, disproportionate police presence then, although no one was arrested that time. Given QLD Labor and the Brisbane City Council have both tried viciously to prevent protests taking place, especially those regarding anti-Adani movements and climate change awareness, it will be interesting to see if things get heated. Unlikely, but something tells me it wouldn’t be surprising, even with children in attendance.

Obviously not everyone is able to attend, but if you have the chance, I would recommend taking the time to do so in whichever city or town you’re closest to. Find out what time it starts and where and let the government know just how powerful grassroots movements can be.

Just how powerful democracy can be.

Liked this? Read The ‘Inconvenient’ Protest

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