Geelong secondary students left school today to go on a “strike” against climate change.
Organiser Jarrah Wishart said he hoped to “pressure” politicians and voters to “deeply” think about climate change.
“Science tells us that climate change is coming immediately,” the 16-year-old told the Indy.
“Our local MPs are either in denial or don’t have adequate policy to defend against this.”
The protest began at City Hall and ended at Corio MP Richard Marles’ office in Geelong, blocking off multiple roads to car traffic.
Jarrah said the students actions were “educational” and “just as important” as going to school.
“People skip school all the time, it might as well be for a cause,” the year 12 student said.
“A lot of pollies will say ‘oh they should be in school, they should be getting their education’ but the thing is by coming here you’re learning.”
“If the government is not willing to act on real science and act like educated people, then why should we go and attend their education?”
More than 70 protests involving thousands of students took place across Australia on 3 May.
