I remember a similar event near the end of Australia involvement in the Vietnam War when high school students began to express an opinion against that involvement and their future.

Whilst I don’t see it as a portent for the end of the pulpmill it says a lot about the environmental issue in the community when this group takes it seriosly enough to go beyond a day away from school to rallying to hear speeches.

More tea leaves rahter than poll results to read.

We call on everyone who is against the toxic mill to be with the young people in Launceston when they meet in Civic Sqauare on Thursday at 1:15 as they lead the charge and help regain democracy.

It’s great to see young folks getting involved in the mill issue.

It is their future that is going to be most affected by any pulp mill, and they have been as comprehensively ignored in the supposed ‘assessment’ process as many of we taxpayers.

More power to them.

Woo Hoo
Well Done Students!
We need you all out there fighting for democracy and clean air!
Cheers

Cynically I have to say I doubt it would have been as well patronised had it been on a weekend; not in the middle of a school day.

A few more details about the similar student-led rally to be held in Launceston on Thursday 8th November, as told to me by Anna, one of the organisers:

“The L’ton protest is to be next Thursday in Launceston for the students, just like the Hobart one. it will be held at 1.15 pm, Civic Square,
Thursday the 8th of November. Students from schools and maybe even the uni will be walking out of class at lunch time and meeting there to protest against the pulp mill and to protect their futures.

“local bands the Stoics and Cats for Hands will be playing. As well as that, speakers from several different schools will be representing the youth and Tom Millen (Bass Greens candidate) and Rick Pilkington (from TAP) will be also saying stuff.”

Please spread the word.

Maybe more would have been there if pocket money was offered as an incentive to attend! You have to be desperate to pay someone to attend a rally.

I think Mark you are selling the kids short although you are right about fewer numbers on a weekend. Leaving from school meant that they were better organised in numbers and as a group. Transport issues are solved.

These kids, although maybe not entirely fluent on all the mills details, are still reasonably well informed. It is their Tasmania that they are going to inherit and if built the mill and its impact will be there for their entire adult lifetimes, not ours.

I see the faces of youth forming the crowd to battle ignorance and greed and I feel shame.

Why should they have to fight adults for what is right and true?

Shouldn’t adults be leaders of those with supposedly less knowledge?

It is gratifying to see our youth have conscience not lost and resolve to right the wrongs imposed by the moral vacuums that perverse our world.

ps….by the way that top photo is a great shot.
Well done to the photographer!