Thousands of kids walk out of school for CBD climate change protest

Thousands of Australian school students and their parents are demanding emergency action on climate change at a CBD protest today.

Prior to the strike more than 10,000 people had registered their interest in a Facebook invite for the ‘Melbourne School Strike 4 Climate‘, held at the Old Treasury Building on Spring Street.

Protestors have packed Spring Street for @StrikeClimate @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/QAUvoFXXsP

— Stefanie Waclawik (@StefWaclawik) March 15, 2019

“Australia is in the thick of the climate crisis,” the invite said.

“So, on March 15, school students are walking out of school to tell our politicians to take all of us seriously and start treating climate change for what it is: a crisis and the biggest threat to our generation and generations to come.”

The protest began at midday.

3AW reporter Alicia Byrne was at the protest, alongside year 12 Newhaven College student Cassie, who spoke to Neil Mitchell – click PLAY to listen

Suzie Brown, from the Australian Parents for Climate Action, says she can’t think of a better reason for students to take a day off school.

“They’re making a bigger contribution and learning more by doing this strike than anything they could possibly do at school,” she told 3AW.

“This is the biggest issue of their lives right now.”

The comments prompted a strong reaction from several 3AW listeners, including Chris — click PLAY to listen