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Thousands rally for Victorian forests on the Eve of World Environment Day
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
More than 15,000 called for the Bracks Labor Government to stop Oldgrowth logging in Victorian forests in a rally through Melbourne streets on the eve of World Environment Day.
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The rally was one of the largest environmental rallies in recent years in Melbourne, according to the organisers. National Director of the Wilderness Society said "This is a massive issue and the size of this crowd and the support we have today goes to highlight the issue and shows just how much of an emotional issue this is," Many people had travelled from all over the state to attend the rally.
People gathered before 11.00am outside the State Library, but by the time the rally started the lawns were well packed with people. Wurrundjeri tribe elder Joy Wandin Murphy welcomed everyone to country.
The rally then marched down Swanston street to Federation Square where a stage and stalls had been set up. Speakers included actress Julie Nile and actor Jack Thompson. Thompson said that action was urgently needed to save old growth forests as Australian taxpayers were bankrolling the woodchip industry. "That's why we are gathered here because there is the need for the people of Australia to say 'enough, it's time for change'," he said. "We export 850,000 tonnes of logs to the woodchip industry in Japan... it's time for our governments to grasp what it is we the people need. The mandate is, care for the country we love and a world in which we can proudly bring up our children."
A seventy metre canvas banner in the shape of a tree was unrolled from the stage into the audience for the 'world's biggest tree hug'.
Both the Bracks Victorian Labor Government and the Coalition Federal Government were criticised for the continuation of old growth logging.
Climate change and the importance of preserving sensitive ecosystems were raised by the speakers.
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Wurundjeri elder Joy Murphy-Wandin addressing the crowd at the State Library
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Outside the State Library
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Save River Redgum along the Murray River
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Act now to save Victorian Old growth forests
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Stop logging in Melbourne's water catchments
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Stop Logging Mount Baw Baw
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Treet spirits on Swanston
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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A view from the future generation
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Murray Darling Redgum Forests Friends of the Earth banner
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Your Mother Raised you...
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Singalong at Federation Square...
We keep crying Bracksy
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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Julie Nile - passionate speech for stopping logging of old growth forests
www.wilderness.org.au/
Rally for forests
by Takver
Sunday June 04, 2006 at 10:15 PM
click to enlarge
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70 metre tree banner rolled out from the stage
www.wilderness.org.au/
LATEST COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
Listed below are the 10 latest comments of 12 posted about this article.
These comments are anonymously submitted by the website visitors.
| TITLE |
AUTHOR |
DATE |
| Scientist rants again!! |
Mini me |
Wednesday August 09, 2006 at 01:34 AM |
| Educate yourself before passing off comment |
A concerned scientist |
Wednesday July 26, 2006 at 09:08 PM |
| we are all guilty!! |
foreign bird |
Thursday June 08, 2006 at 10:34 PM |
| Bush is the Devil |
yawning man |
Monday June 05, 2006 at 10:25 PM |
| The Devil (Bush) on the Eviornment |
The Devil (Bush) |
Monday June 05, 2006 at 12:48 PM |
| Thumper was eaten by Simba |
The Circle of Life |
Monday June 05, 2006 at 10:51 AM |
| sympathy for the timber industry... |
Mick |
Monday June 05, 2006 at 08:11 AM |
| thirteen percent |
david |
Monday June 05, 2006 at 06:53 AM |
| Smelly |
Mini Me |
Monday June 05, 2006 at 04:29 AM |
| Just another arrow against a tank |
Simon |
Monday June 05, 2006 at 03:14 AM |
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