Big turnout at Townsville Stop CSG rally

Chris McCoomb
October 18, 2011
Issue 
900
News
The 'Defend our Water from Coal Seam Gas' rally took place in Townsville on October 16.

Organisers were stoked with an exceptional turnout for an anti-coal seam gas (CSG) rally that took place in Townsville on October 16 as part of the coordinated national day of action.

More than 150 protesters marched from Victoria Bridge through town chanting slogans such as “Frack is whack” and “Lock the gate, before it’s too late”.

The rally proceeded to Anzac Park where various speakers addressed the crowd.

Gail Hamilton from the North Queensland Conservation Council said: “The people in Townsville are standing up and saying we don’t want CSG… It is not a safe energy option.”

Jenny Stirling of the Greens spoke of the negative impacts of CSG and praised those in attendance.



“I am so proud that there are so many concerned and caring people in north Queensland,” Stirling said.

Organiser Tonielle Christensen said: “It doesn’t matter which political side you are from, this is a debate everyone cares about. It is about respect for our farmers and our food.”

Earlier, on arrival at Anzac Park, chalk was handed out so people could write messages of support for farmers on the pavers near the gathering.

The Queensland Police Service felt the need to reassure themselves of their importance and ordered the messages be removed.

Police claimed it was graffiti, so bemused protesters filled up water bottles from the nearby fountain to wash away the chalk.

Mining
Coal
Climate crisis
Environment
Australia

Comments

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Anonymous replied on

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