XR Hunger Strike Day 5

Media release – XR Tasmania, 25 October 2021

INTO DAY 5 – EXTINCTION REBELLION HUNGER STRIKE HOBART

Summary

• Friday October 22 several Extinction Rebellion protestors started a 7-day hunger strike on parliament lawns Hobart demanding urgent climate action from state and federal governments
• After over 72 hours without food, the hunger strikers are hungry and weak and are suffering the effects of food deprivation.
• The hunger strikers were visited on Monday by state politicians Rob Valentine, Meg Webb, Cassy O’Connor and Rosalie Woodruff but await the visit of Tasmania’s Climate Change Minister Roger Jaensch.
• The hunger strike will continue until 6pm Thursday October 28 when protestors will break their fast with a public “Picnic for the Planet” on parliament lawns, where they will accept food donations to give to a local charity.

More than 72 hours have passed since several Extinction Rebellion protestors started a “Hungry for Climate Action” hunger strike for climate action. They are demanding the Australian government stop taxpayer subsidies for and approving new coal and gas projects.

“Despite our increasing physical and emotional suffering since starting the hunger strike, it feels really important to be here,” said hunger striker and PhD student Micah Landon-Lane. “Along with most young people, I have been affected by and struggled with debilitating climate anxiety. I don’t know why, but just making a stand for climate action has completely dissolved by anxiety.

“I hope this action inspires others to get break out of their anxiety and get involved in demanding real climate action.”

State politicians Rob Valentine, Meg Webb, Cassy O’Connor and Rosalie Woodruff visited the hunger strikers on Monday, expressing support for their demands of continued climate action from the Tasmanian government.

“It feels very validating to have the support of our politicians,” said hunger striker and mother of two Sharee McCammon. “However, we are still waiting for Tasmania’s Climate Change Minister Roger Jaensch to visit.

“Although this hunger strike gets harder every day, thinking of my kids and their future is what keeps me going. There is still time to act on climate change, but it has to be now. Our government must take strong 2030 emissions reduction targets to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.”