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By El Gibbs<\/a> \u00a0@bluntshovels<\/a><\/p>\n 17th March 2014<\/p>\n Over 700 people gathered in front of the historic Carrington Hotel in Katoomba on Sunday to protest against the Federal Government, spilling out onto the street.<\/p>\n Many hand-made signs featured, with slogans such as “What happened to taking care? Of ourselves, each other, our country”, “It’s not money trickling down”, “Peace off, Abbott” and many against coal seam gas developments.<\/p>\n Absolutely chockablock full here at #MarchInMarch<\/a> Blue Mountains pic.twitter.com\/bmnaytKq1L<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Annette Bennett (@abennett41) March 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n The clouds gathered but so did the crowd! Estimate 1000 #nofibsmim<\/a> #marchinmarchbluemtns<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sd6VB0aPsu<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Amanda Carr (@amandalacarr) March 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n The local organisers, in consultation with police, decided not to march, but to have a static rally, due to a large music festival and nearby roadworks. The rally was attended by a wide range of Blue Mountains people, including many children.<\/p>\n Beginning with an acknowledgement of being on Gundungarra and Darug land, the first speaker was Susan Templeman, the previous ALP candidate for Macquarie.<\/p>\n Templeman said that she was angry and sad that the rights of workers, people with disabilities and asylum seekers were being disrespected and that the Government was “running on an agenda of hate.”<\/p>\n “I don’t believe the ALP Government got it right on asylum seekers. I’m a long time member of Labor for Refugees and will be pushing for change in opposition, so that when Labor is back in government, we can have a more humane approach.”<\/p>\n Templeman raised concerns that Louise Markus, the Member for Macquarie, was silent on asylum seekers, despite being a Christian and a former social worker.<\/p>\n George Winston, the secretary for Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group, spoke next about his own experience of being a refugee from Poland after the Second World War. His anger was palpable as he accused the Government of “imprisoning children behind razor wire, locking up people indefinitely, stopping asylum seekers working and studying and using asylum seekers for political ends.”<\/p>\n The manager of the local women’s health centre, Suzie Van Opdorp, spoke about the people she works with who are at risk of homelessness. She said that “the ALP was wrong to take single parents off the parenting payment, and they need to change their policies.” Van Opdorp believes that Newstart has to rise, or more women and children will become homeless.<\/p>\n Danielle Wheeler, the previous Greens candidate for Macquarie, said that it was not common for Australians to protest against their government and hoped that mainstream media would cover the rallies. Wheeler said that “Australia has lost its way and we fell for the emperor\u2019s new clothes. Emporer Abbott is stark bollockingly naked and we are angry. He’s all hairy chested and fossil fuelled.” Wheeler outlined what people could do, such as joining the local conservation and refugee support groups.<\/p>\n Shirley the bag lady, dressed in clothes made from plastic bags, spoke about environmental campaigns, and Wyn Jones read a Denis Kevan’s poem. Next, Jan O’Leary, from No CSG Blue Mountains, outlined the proposal for CSG mining in the Blue Mountains region.<\/p>\n Another poem- ‘toss out the terminators’ #MarchInMarchBlueMtns<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/fSQbB8rspR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Amanda Carr (@amandalacarr) March 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n