Hi all,

Newbie Leanne Daharja here (http://daharja.livejournal.com as I'm not likely
to ever get around to properly introducing myself).

I was at the Walk Against Warming with family and frriends in Melbourne on
Saturday - it was my son Dragon's second birthday, and we couldn't think of
a better way to celebrate than to honour the earth with the walk. We had a
picnic first (self-catered vegan), then did the walk with 15 of our closest
friends and family. It was the first protest my parents had ever been on!

The crowds were huge - I would estimate between 30 and 50,000 - and I'm an
old time campaigner in the protest scheme of things. I'd have liked to see
more, but I suppose a lot of people were too busy putting on stupid hats,
suits, dresses and shoes and watching horses being whipped around a track (
a.k.a. Melbourne Cup carnival). Interesting what the word 'civilisation'
means to some people.

Anyway, it was a very peaceful protest, and good to see many families and
kids. The tide is turning on green issues - twenty years ago (I know - I was
doing it back then too), it was mainly 'ferals', Uni students and unemployed
people, and not many of us (I was a member of all three of the
aforementioned groups at various points). Now it is mainstream Australia,
and even Little Johnie is acknowledging that climate change is not just a
figment of the overripe imaginations of the green left! I never thought I'd
see the day!

I took the time to thank the police officers who were doing a great job with
crowd control (getting us all safely across Flinders Street), and the walk
was a positive experience for everyone involved. Thanks to the organisers -
I will write and thank them personally as well, and ask that others who were
present do the same.

We need more peaceful protests like this one. Politicians need to see that
middle Australia is deeply concerned. As for me, I'm a member of the Greens
and my vote is already decided (I hope you're all voting Green if you're
Victorian in the upcoming State election!), but the more that this becomes
an issue, the more bargaining the major parties will do.

We need tight legislation on pollution controls, ratifying of Kyoto,
downscaling of unsustainable industry and farming practices
(especially mining, beef and dairy), and fast upgrading of green energy
sources (wind and solar). All of these issues need to becoming major in the
upcoming Federal election in a year. Write to John Howard (
http://www.pm.gov.au/) and let him know these issues are important.

I'll shut up for now. Please drop by my Livejournal and say 'hi', or friend
me if you have an LJ of your own, and let me know you're a member of this
group so I can reciprocate :-)

Cheers,

Leanne Daharja XXX


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