Climate Protest at Parliament

A protest against Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement was held at Parliament on Tuesday. It coincided with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit to Wellington. Tillerson is visiting to meet with the New Zealand Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

350 Aotearoa recorded a message sent to Bill English saying, “Prime Minister Bill English, it’s time for you to stand on the right side of history. Stand up for New Zealand and the rest of the world. Not the interests of big, fuzzy fuel companies and climate denial. Tell US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson withdrawing from the Paris Agreement is unacceptable and so is no action from you. When we have made a commitment, we need words to become action but you are behaving like climate deniers. Well, it’s time to act on climate.”

Over 100 attended the rally. Many people spoke, representing organizations against climate change such as New Zealand Public Service Association, Green Peace, Oil Free Wellington, The Climate and Health Council, and Grant Robertson from the Labour Party.

Protesters hold up signs against climate change. Many of them use the hashtag #FossilFreeNZ.

Sarah Noiling holds up a sign during the rally stating “Liar Liar”.

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Protesters hold up signs representing the three countries that are not a part of the Paris climate agreement.

Protesters chant, “What do we want? Climate action! Who needs to lead it? Bill!”

(from left) Annabelle Skinneieveis, Sarah Noiling and Imogen Noiling hold up signs and chant at the protest. Skinneieveis states, "This is no longer an environmental issue, it's a humanitarian issue. And it's so important that in New Zealand we're supporting it."

A Trump effigy was brought to the protest. Protesters were encouraged to throw objects at it after the rally.

National Secretary of PSA Erin Polaczuk speaks at the protest. “Climate change is a workers issue. . .We want a world where people can have jobs that aren’t damaging. . .”

Protesters throw water balloons at the Trump effigy after the rally against climate change.

Protesters set their signs against a tree in front of Parliament after the rally against climate change.

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Find more from Kaiti Sullivan on InfoPages.