Monday, 14 October 2019

Climate change protest outside Wagner's office

    1. Canterbury
    2. Christchurch

    Students from Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery, Cashmere, Burnside and Shirley Boys' high schools, as well as Lincoln University, protesting outside National MP Nicky Wagner’s Christchurch office.
    Students from Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery, Cashmere, Burnside and Shirley Boys' high schools, as well as Lincoln University, protesting outside National MP Nicky Wagner’s Christchurch office.
    A group of Christchurch students held a silent protest outside MP Nicky Wagner’s office on Monday morning in a bid to pressure the National Party into voting for the Zero Carbon Bill.

    The organisation #ThinkOfUs - which was involved in the recent school strike for climate - says it wants National to "listen to the present and future generations" when they take "to the streets to demand climate justice".

    The protest was held outside Ms Wagner's Colombo St office from 10.30am.

    "If the National Party fails to listen to the youth of New Zealand, its MPs will be silencing our voices," said organiser Ciara Foley. 

    "We have taken to the streets, now they must act in their seats."

    The protest was part of a national movement. In Wellington, students gathered outside Parliament to encourage MPs to pass the Bill.

    Ciara Foley.
    Ciara Foley.
    "Moments and legislation like this define us as a people, what we are willing to protect and who we are willing to stand up for," Ms Foley said.

    “We are begging (National) to think of us and the future generations affected by this.

    "(National's) response to this bill is being closely watched by all of us, and this demonstration urges them to think of us."