Students to protest funding of fossil fuel projects

Central Coast school students will rally in Kibble Park, Gosford, on Friday, May 21, as part of the largest national school strike since COVID-19 protesting gas and coal projects.

Organiser and Year 11 St Peter’s Catholic college student, Jayden Delbridge, said students would be urging the Federal Government to say no to funding gas and coal projects, and instead invests in clean renewable energy, secure jobs, and First Nations solutions to protect Country.

Delbridge said the May 21 strike will be the biggest student climate protest since COVID-19, with actions planned in capital cities, regional centres, and country towns across the continent.

The day is being organised by the School Strike 4 Climate network, with support from First Nations communities, unions, parents, and everyday Australians.

“The Morrison Government could be protecting our climate, land and water, and creating thousands of new jobs by growing Australia’s renewable energy sector and backing First Nations solutions to protect Country,”” he said.

“Instead, they are lining the pockets of multinational gas companies, which are fuelling the climate crisis, devastating our land and water, wrecking our health and creating very few jobs.

“On May 21, we’re striking to tell the Morrison Government that if they care about our future, they must stop throwing money at gas.”

The rally will take place between noon and 2pm in Kibble Park.

Delbridge organised smaller groups of 20 students to rally at various parts of the Coast in September last year in COVID-safe protests against the Government’s support of the gas industry as part of 400 #FundOurFutureNotGas days of action held all over the country.

Terry Collins