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The people triumphed over fossil fuel magnates in an epic street theatre tug-of-war on November 6, the global day of action for climate justice. Pearls, cash and dynasties lay scattered when more than 30 children joined the tug-of-war team to tip the balance.

Renée Lees, a member of Cairns Climate Action Network and a co-organiser of the colourful event said Prime Minister Scott Morrison is running his divide and rule tactic. “He wants us to think that it is cities versus regions, or workers verses ‘greenies’. But the real tug-of-war is between the billionaires and the rest of us, who are being screwed over.”

The billionaires exploit people and the planet “on a global scale”, she said. While unleashing climate breakdown “they have never been richer” whereas “those who have done the least to cause the crisis suffer the most”.

Lees said that the people of Cairns “are determined to protect our reef and our livelihoods, and to show solidarity with people most affected around the world, including our neighbours in the Torres Strait and the Pacific”.

“Coal and gas need to stay in the ground, and we need to look after each other as we transition out of this mess.”

The street theatre protest searched for Morrison’s “missing technology” and discovered the solutions in plain view.

John Shute, from Cairns Parents 4 Climate Action and a co-organiser event said parents and the broader community, we need to band together and act. “We can’t let the 1% decide the agenda. Never underestimate parents — we will move mountains for our kids!”

“We proved that we can win the tug-of-war for the future, if the 99% come together. In this movement, everyone belongs and everyone has something to contribute,” Lees said.