In a shocking show, eight students have staged a n*ked protest after it
was revealed the University of Melbourne would continue to invest in the
fossil fuel industry. The students climbed onto the roof of the Old
Quad building at 10am on Tuesday and stripped off their clothes to
reveal the message 'drop your assets' painted onto their bare backs and
buttocks.
The protest is aimed against the university's
administration decision to continue to invest in the fossil fuel
industry. In a meeting conducted last Thursday between Fossil Free MU
members and Chief Financial Officer Alan Tait, Mr Tait reiterated the
university's stance that they would not be committing to divestment.
'Rapid divestment from fossil fuels is a crucial step on the pathway to a
safe climate future,' said Professor John Wiseman, Deputy Director of
the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute.
'Divestment from fossil
fuels is therefore an urgent ethical and financial responsibility for
all Australian investors and institutions – including universities.'
'We've had to be courageous and we're showing the University everything
we've got,' said Master of Environment student Anastasia Gramatakos.
'It's now their turn to show us what they've got - to show some courage
and take action against the fossil fuel industry.'
They
remained on the building's roof for 10 minutes before security asked
them to leave. The student group Fossil Free MU launched the fossil fuel
divestment campaign in June 2013.In three years of campaigning, the
students have held referendums, rallies, and forums to engage students,
staff and the university council to promote divestment.
The current
campaign is part of a national fossil fuel divestment effort that is
taking place at seven universities across the country, including the
Australian National University, The University of New South Wales, the
University of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technology, The
University of Sydney, and Monash University. Two universities, the
University of Sydney and the Australian National University, have
already made partial divestment commitments, and Swinburne University is
in the process of seeking an investment fund that can provide a fossil
free portfolio.
Title :
Eight University Students Strip Naked to Protest Over Fossil Fuel Industry (See Photos)
Description : In a shocking show, eight students have staged a n*ked protest after it was revealed the University of Melbourne would continue to invest ...
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