Walk against Warming - 4 Nov - Part 1 : Melbourne Indymedia

(This report is posted in two parts because of upload limits on the site.)
It seemed organisers had not been expecting such a huge turnout - police were reported to estimated the crowd at 30,000 - when they chose Melbourne's Town Hall as the assembly point, rather than the deep lawns in front of the State Library, which have become customary for such purposes in recent years, and where passing trams are less of a hazard. Fortunately, there were no long speeches to hold things up; drummers from MelSamba (http://www.melsamba.com/) did the warming up and Tricia Phelan from Environment Victoria, launched the march with a call for everyone to make as much noise as they could for five seconds ...

As can be seen from the photos, there was a strong anti-corporate and especially anti-Howard current to the protest, and amongst the many groups working the crowd there members of the StopG20 collective handing out leaflets in preparation for the forthcoming neo-liberal bun-feast on November 18-19 (see http://www.stopg20.org/,and the banner featured below. Events planned to coincide with the conference range from a street party and 'really, really free market' to a 24-hour meditation at Birrarung Marr, starting at sundown on 17 Nov - details on the website.) Greens, and to a lesser extent ALP supporters, were also in evidence, as well as environmental organisations, as was only to be expected.

From the website of Environment Victoria (http://www.envict.org.au/inform.php?menu=4&submenu=20&item=1332)
[quote]
Leaders invited to 'Walk the Talk' Against Warming

Environment groups have invited Premier Steve Bracks and Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu to speak to a crowd of thousands this weekend at the Walk Against Warming – so long as they announce a policy to cut Victoria’s greenhouse pollution 20% by 2020.

Walk Against Warming organisers Environment Victoria and Greenpeace have issued a challenge to both major parties to address the crowd – a prime opportunity for a positive announcement – if they commit to introduce legislated targets to cut Victoria’s greenhouse pollution 20% by 2020 based on 1990 levels.

[end quote]
It's probably unnecessary to add that neither took up the challenge.

Those who did attend, however, included Wurrundjeri elder Joy Wanbdin-Murphy, who delivered the traditional 'Welcome to Country', well-known TV presenter and environmentalist Rob Gell, Cath Smith, CEO of the Victorian Council of Social Services, actor Magda Szubanski, and Anna Mazetti, a 'mum from the eastern suburbs' who explained how she had become actively engaged in organising in her community - 'because when you are concerned about your children's future you are driven to do things that you wouldn't necessarily do for yourself.' As another 'mum' had said to her 'I don't want my kids to say "If you knew how serious climate change was back then, Mum, why disn't you DO something about it?'

Magda Szubanski also thought it worth explaining her participation: she was there representing herself, but also 'I know that a lot of these events can start to look a bit like "Rent a celebrity". The reason we came along is becuse we provide a voice for people who don't necessarily have a voice and who can't get their voices heard in the media ...'

It was a long wait before the last of the marchers arrived at the destination under the bridge at Birrarung Marr, but lively entertainment was provided by the Counterfeit Gypsies and the weather was kind. After the speeches, Vox Bandicoot made an appearance, presenting amongst other things a demonstration of a 'rising C' - not the water variety.

There was disagreement among media outlets as to the numbers who attended, with some giving 30,000 and others suggesting a much smaller figure. As often the case, not all who took part in the march stayed for the speeches, but having watched the march and viewed the crowd from bridge, I should say the police estimate quoted above sounded quite credible.

The reference is to the Victorian State Government's plan to have 20% of all motorised trips taken by public transport by 2020.
The following shots, in no particular order, were taken on the march:

This one was determined to get in the picture

Among the leafletters and ohers promoting upcoming actions,
this on something happening alongside the StopG20 protests:

26 secs, 634 KB, wmv format

Where was Victorian Trades hall and its affiliates ? (teachers rocked up)

from NSW
Robbo Goes Green

John Robertson's speech to the Walk Against Warming

Six weeks, they say, is obviously a long time in politics.

Well, when it comes to global warming it is an eternity.

Six weeks the Howard Government was making fun of Al Gore and his warnings on global warming.

Now they are trying to cuddle up to him.

Don't be fooled - the only reason the Howard Government is moving is because people you like are demanding it.

The Prime Minister has offered you a few tokens, Today is about demanding real change.

**

I am pleased to be here today as a representative of the NSW union movement.

Like many sections of society, the unions have not always seen themselves as part of the environment movement, at times we have worked together, at other times we have been at odds.

But our current battle for Rights at Work has bought us closer to the community than ever before.

And there is no doubt that, like the attack on workers rights, the issue of global warming is resonating in the community.

Both our campaigns have a common theme: ordinary Australians taking a stand for future generations.

And in both our campaigns, we are up against a Prime Minister who always puts the interests of big business ahead of the interests of the people he is meant to represent.

****

It is not the place to talk about our campaign today - although I know many of you support us.

Today I want to talk about why I - and many of the unions I represent - fully support the campaign you are running - calling on the government to take a lead on protecting the planet.

If we are serious about developing an economy that works for people not just big business, we need to create secure, sustainable jobs.

The way we do this is pretty simple:

First, recognise the threat of climate change and take a leadership role in addressing it.

If the government were prepared to take a lead on the environment, it could also generate the smart, export industries that deliver job security.

I have argued, for example, that the NSW Government should make this state a carbon neutral state and a take lead role by installing solar panels in all schools, hospitals and public buildings.

The government could then favour NSW suppliers in supplying this equipment, creating the required demand to build an export base in energy efficient manufacturing, with centres of excellence based in regions that need employment.

This is what good government is all about - dealing with problems in smart ways that deliver security for the people they represent.

It is an approach totally foreign to the Howard Government - which refuses to even be part of the global effort on climate change.

Instead, like a fringe dweller it sits in the corner avoiding the truth.

Our message today is that this is not a fringe issue - it is mainstream Australia - families, workers - demanding something better from our government.

To do this we need government to:

1. Ratify the Kyoto Protocol and set targets for the deep cuts in greenhouse gas emission we need to achieve;

2. Place a price on carbon emissions and drive innovation and efficiencies that will create new jobs and build out economy, not harm it;

3. Make significant investments in renewable energy technologies that will also make our economy thrive and secure jobs for Australians.

It is our kids, our future generations that will pass judgement on the actions we take this year and the next important 10 years to tackle this fundamental threat to humanity. Let's make sure they have a future.