The original occupation
Several hundred people are staging a peaceful protest outside the office of Vice Chancellor, Peter Rathjen. Another eight students have entered the office and are conducting a sit-in.
They are refusing to leave until UTAS commits to divest from fossil fuels. The occupation follows months of talks and pressure on the university to divest and demonstrates student frustration with a lack of action.
“Despite being a leading institution in climate research, UTAS still has approximately $30 million invested in fossil fuel companies,” said Fossil Free UTAS spokesperson Jack Redpath.
“We will stay until The University of Tasmania commits to divest its $300 million investment portfolio from fossil fuels.”
“The University is a publicly owned institution with a constitution that states it must act to benefit its constituents – the students.”
“It’s incredibly frustrating to be taught about the need for climate action by UTAS, whilst they invest in the industry that causes climate change.”
Students have petitioned the Vice Chancellor for the last two years. A meeting between Fossil Free UTAS and the investment committee was scheduled for today (Wednesday 14 October) in the Vice Chancellor’s Building. But it was cancelled with UTAS citing a vocal student presence at their events as the reason.
“It’s clear from their past actions that UTAS has been stalling, or it is completely uninterested in listening to students’ concerns.”
“UTAS is a world leader in climate research, it was recently awarded a $26m grant for Antarctic research – but there won’t be any ice left to study if the university keeps investing in fossil fuels.”
“The Australian National University managed to avoid losing its students money by divesting from fossil fuels.”
“Commodities, including coal and oil have hit rock bottom rendering new projects like Adani’s Carmichael mine unfeasible and old mines and power plants unprofitable.”
“We have seen the market capitalisation of coal companies collapse across the world, they are one of the worst performers in the market at present.”
Download Briefing Note …
FFUTAS_Media_Briefing_Note.pdf
• Rose Steele National President: National Union of Students Supports UTAS Fossil Free Action
• FFUTAS: Investment Expert visits UTAS Fossil Fuel Protesters
• Day six of divestment sit in
WEDNESDAY, October 21 …
• Student protester Scales Building and Drops Banner on Day Eight of Student Protests
• Cassy O’Connor: FossilFree UTAS students show true grit for climate
