Brisbane Global #ClimateStrike

Bicycles play a central role in ensuring better health, social, transport, economic and environmental outcomes. By default, bicycles are a fundamental go-to green transportation mode par excellence.

So it is no surprise to see bicycles at climate change protests.

Leki (my flower bike) and I have attended quite a few climate change rallies in my current home town of Brisbane, Australia.

And this month’s biggest student Climate Change Strike will be no exception!

Brisbane Global #ClimateStrike

This Friday (September 20th Sept) thousands of school students across Australia (and many more around the world) will again walk out of their classrooms to protest government inaction on climate change as part of the Global Climate Strike.

These protests follow an earlier round in March, in which 150,000 people in Australia and 1.5 million people worldwide marched in protest. This time almost 100 protests will be staged across Australia.

The young Australian protesters are demanding no new coal, oil and gas projects (including the Adani mine); 100 per cent renewable energy generation and exports by 2030; and funds to help workers from fossil fuel industries transition to new jobs.

Brisbane’s protest will begin at 1pm at Queens Gardens. The march will begin at 1.30pm, heading north up George Street past Reddacliff Place, west on Adelaide Street, south onto N Quay, south-west over Victoria Bridge, south onto Grey Street and west onto Glenelg Street. It will continue along Glenelg Street to its finishing point at Musgrave Park.

As the Brisbane Rally organisers highlight, Australia is already on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Prolonged drought. Flash flooding. Catastrophic bushfires, severe cyclones and heatwaves. But just at the time when we need to ramp up climate solutions, we have elected a Government that wants to open the floodgates to new coal, oil and gas projects that put all of us at risk.

So, on September 20, three days before the UN Emergency Climate Summit, school students are inviting everyone to join us for our biggest ever global #ClimateStrike.

By taking time off school and work together around the world, we’ll show our politicians that people everywhere want climate justice and we’re not going away until we get it. We’ll strike in solidarity for everyone who’s already being hurt by the climate crisis and everyone who will be impacted if we don’t act now: workers, first nations people, young people, mining communities and more.

On March 15, 1.6 million of us went on strike around the world. On September 20, we’re going to take our movement to the next level.

If you’re an adult, please take the day off and invite your friends, workmates and families to join us.

Bring your bikes!

Here is information about the Brisbane Rally.

What will happen at the Brisbane Rally?

To everyone who cares about a safe climate future, this is your invitation to join the #GlobalClimateStrike on September 20 – people around the world standing up to confront the climate crisis when our politicians won’t.

What is happening on the day?
From 12.30 we will assemble in Queens Gardens (Cnr George and Elizabeth Streets, Brisbane)
1.00 Welcome to Country + speakers
1.30 March to Musgrave Park over Victoria Bridge.
2.15-2.30 Arrive in Musgrave Park
2.30-3.30 A performance from Pacific Climate Warriors, information stalls + more inspiring speakers
3.30 Music from “Crown”, local band from Kenmore State High School
4.00 – CLOSE

Songlines Choir will be singing near the corner of Elizabeth Street and William Street from 12.30-1.00pm before the formal program starts. More info here.

Speakers include
Aunty Deb Sandy – to give the Welcome to Country
School Striker Parker R – 10 year old from Annerley with his poem “Save our World’
– School Striker Sunny from West End State School
– Stuart Traill – State Assistant Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union. Stuart will be speaking the need for a fair transition for workers and to build publicly owned renewable energy
– Sid Plant – A fifth generation cattleman, member of the Oakey Coal Action Alliance who have been fighting to protect prime farmland from the expansion of the Acland coal mine expansion.

Sign up here for updates.

For Site Map, March Route & other important info click here.

What to bring
Your friends and family! We need everyone.
Placards
Banners / Flags representing the group / union / organisation you are part of!
Hat and Sunscreen
Water bottle — It’s likely to be hot!
Snacks
Cash for Merch stalls in Musgrave Park

Other rallies Australia-wide

There will be a other rally Australia-wide. Organisers predict the largest crowds in the country will be at the Melbourne rally, which will begin at Treasury Gardens at 2pm. The rally will leave the gardens at 3pm and travel along Spring Street towards Collins Street. It will then turn south along Exhibition Street, then east along Flinders Street, before returning to Treasury Gardens. Trams on routes 48, 11, 12 and 109 will be diverted during the march.

In Sydney, the protest will begin at the Domain at 12pm. Students will march down Macquarie Street and Elizabeth Street before finishing at Hyde Park.

Students in Adelaide will begin their protest at 12pm at Victoria Square. At 1pm they will march north along King William Street to Parliament House. Rolling road closures will be in effect on the western side of the street.

In Perth, protesters will first gather at 11am at Forrest Place before marching along William Street, St Georges Terrace, Mill Street and Mounts Bay Road before arriving at Elizabeth Quay.

Here is a  full list of Global Climate Strike locations across Australia held on 20^th September.

Content for this post is adapted from Nick Buckley’s article for Broadsheet and Global Climate Strike Brisbane.