MICHELLE PAINE, November 02, Mercury NewspaperMORE than 500 students rallied in Hobart yesterday to protest against Gunns' proposed pulp mill.
Most walked out of class to take part in the lunchtime event in front of Parliament House. But an unplanned march through the streets of Hobart afterwards may lead to a legal backlash.
Tasmania Police told the ABC yesterday they were considering charging organisers because the march could have posed a safety risk to protesters, the public and traffic.
"We're not allowed to vote, but we are the generation which will be affected by the pulp mill the most. This is the reason we are showing our dissent by voting with our feet," said rally speaker and organiser Gabby Forward, from Fahan School.
Greens senator Christine Milne was among the speakers. The crowd included students from more than a dozen public and private schools and colleges around Hobart, including some in uniform.
Ms Forward, 15, said most people's parents had given them notes to their schools to excuse their absence.
"Most were allowed to go but a couple of schools threatened suspension, even if they had notes from their parents," Ms Forward said.
She said two private schools had done this.
"We were expecting maybe 50 people, and then the interest started to grow. We hadn't planned the march because we didn't realise how big it would be," she said.
The organisers had told Tasmania Police about the rally, but the march happened spontaneously, she said.
The march organisers were questioned by police mid-march, she said.
Co-organiser Amyris Cauchi, 18, said she was thrilled with the turnout.
Education Minister David Bartlett said before the rally that it was up to parents and school communities to decide on participation.
Liberal education spokesman Sue Napier said Mr Bartlett should require, at least for public schools, that absentees had parental approval.
Students are planning another rally at Launceston's Civic Square next Thursday at 1.15pm.
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