A climate protest calling on Labor to stop expanding fossil fuels attracted more than 400 people on November 12.
Organised by the newly-formed Climate Coalition Sydney, around 40 environment, civil and migrant groups signed on.
Speakers included Gomeroi woman Suellyn Tighe who spoke about the resistance to Santos’ coal seam gas project in the Pilliga.
Kavita Naidu, an international human rights lawyer and activist from Fiji, said climate justice is a challenge to capitalism.
Steve O’Brien, a former steel worker and union delegate at Hunter TAFE, spoke about the climate movement’s support for workers and environmentally benign jobs.
Ethan Lyons, a Wiradjuri student from School Strike 4 Climate, and Paul Keating, Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Sydney branch secretary, also spoke.
Rhyan Clapham, aka DOBBY, a Filipino and Aboriginal rapper with family from Brewarrina on Ngemba land, performed, as did DJ Snow White.
A few activists held signs saying “Free Alaa”. Alaa Abd el-Fattah has been in Egyptian jail for nine years without charge. He is on a hunger strike to protest his, and others, indefinite detention by the Abdel Fattah al-Sisi regime.
An environment justice coalition is developing in Sydney. It includes the Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends, School Strike 4 Climate, 350.org, Water for Rivers, Workers for Climate Action, New South Wales Teachers Federation, Sutherland Shire Environment Group, Dubbo Environment Group, Protect Our Water Alliance, NSW Civil Liberties Council, NSW Greens, Socialist Alliance and Solidarity.
[A forum on November 30 at the MUA will hear from 350.org, Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends and School Strike for Climate.]