Environmental protesters forcibly removed from Australian parliament

Environmental protesters forcibly removed from Australian parliament
By Seamus Kearney



"This is a battle that's not going to be won in this place, it's going to be won out there"

CANBERRA: -- Climate change protesters have held a sit-in in the foyer of the Australian parliament.

Up to 300 people called on the government to take a stronger stand against greenhouse gas emissions at the COP21 talks in Paris.

Greens Party leader Richard Di Natale thanked the protesters.

“This is a battle that’s not going to be won in this place, it’s going to be won out there.

“Thanks to the voices of people like you right around the country coming into this place, the people’s house and engaging in peaceful and respectful protest.”

The sit-in lasted for about an hour and police forcibly removed many protesters, dragging them out by their arms and legs.

Among those taking part in the protest were half of the parliament’s Green MPs.

This as record high temperatures, thought to be linked to global warming, stoke bush fires in the south of the country.

The Australian government has committed to a 26-28 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but critics say that is not enough.