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STUDENTS OUTRAGED BY GUNNS PULP MILL
600 walk out of school to protest
On Thursday Nov 1, 600 high school and college students walked out of class and gathered at Parliament House Lawns in Hobart to protest against the proposed Gunns pulp mill. The protest was organized by Students Against the Pulp Mill. Speakers included concerned students, as well as Greens Senator Christine Milne, newly elected Hobart deputy mayor Helen Burnett and Socialist Alliance candidate Susan Austin.
Gabby Forward, a rally organizer said, “It’s been a fantastic turnout. It shows that not only are students concerned about the pulp mill, and their future, but that they are willing to act to show how they feel.”
Resistance member and rally organizer Melanie Barnes said, “one of the reasons we are opposed to this pulp mill is because of the contribution it will make towards climate change. This is an issue the federal government hasn’t even assessed yet. Some estimates say that this mill will lead to an extra 10 million tones of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.”
During the rally Premier Paul Lennon was invited by the crowd to come out of Parliament and address everyone, but he did not show.
The crowd all took the pledge read out by Students Against the Pulp mill member Gabby Forward, which said that:
“As the future of Australia
We gather here today
In honour of past campaigns
And to take a stand against corruption and to fight the mill…
As students we say no!”
After the rally, hundreds of students marched along the footpath to ANZ bank to highlight their opposition to ANZ’s financial backing of the mill. Police expressed their anger at protest organizers for leading an unplanned march, but many students who participated said that it was their decision to join the march and it was an important way for them to have their voices heard.
Another student walkout against the pulp mill is being planned for Launceston students next week, Nov 8 at Civic Sq at 1.15pm.
For more information phone Gabby Forward on 0400 917 753 or Melanie Barnes on 0423 978 518
