Oct 24th Protest Parade (+video!)

October 24th was an international day of action for the website www.350.org. The day was devoted to raising awareness about specific targets for carbon levels in the lead up the the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen in December. In Adelaide, October 24th was that and a little bit more. It was the first protest action held by Critical Climate. At first our action only coincidentally coincided with the 350 day of action, but we were supportive of the event and felt that our actions could complement each other.

People began to gather at Tarndanyangga (Victoria Square) at 1pm. The ABC shot some footage which made it into a national piece they were doing on the 350 day of action. The beginning of the action was a bit clunky. This type of protest action was new to a lot of people and scarce details were relayed to those assembled. After a speaker from the Climate Emergency Action Network (www.cleansa.org.au) and a brief plug for people to take copies of Critical Climate's unofficial manifesto (How To Win Climate Justice) an announcement was made that the bicycle parade would soon be departing eastward down Wakefield Street.

Several motorists who had attended in hopes of joining a car parade opted to join a march that was going to meet up with the cyclists at Hindmarsh Square. This was due in large part to their not being a person specifically assigned to integrating the vehicles into the parade. However, the police made regular efforts to corral cyclists into one lane to allow vehicles passed. If in future there is the potential to have some protesters in their own cars to assist the bicycle parade.

After a brief announcement by the sole bicycle cop assigned to the protest, the cyclists launched into the streets. For anyone who has never done this it can be quite an empowering feeling. The sensation of redefining the use of public space through mass action is something quite different to the feeling you get when partaking in a permitted march. I've been to many rallies where group cohesion has been almost nonexistent. This was not like that. After a period of relative quite, where it felt like many people adjusting to the new environment, the parade erupted into some of the most passionate chanting I have ever witnessed. It was particularly surprising coming from a group of less than 200 people. "Whose streets? OUR STREETS! Climate justice now!" could be heard ringing out from almost the entire parade.

The awkwardness with which the action began seemed a distant memory. By the time we had cycled around North Terrace, down King William St and started heading back east to meet the marchers at Hindmarsh Square the energy was electric. Clapping and chanting had reached a fever pitch. Just before we entered the playground at Hindmarsh Sqaure the parade stopped defiantly covering both lanes of traffic against police orders. This announcement was made...



It was a small but important demonstration. Not for the media or any politicians benefit, but for the people who were on the streets. Many people were heard saying after wards, "We could have done more!""Let's do this every month!" They are right. We will.

For all those people that are keen to help organise future actions filling out this form will help us to let you know the best way to get involved.