Thousands protest

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PROTESTERS donned red and yellow on Saturday afternoon as more than 3000 people marched from Belgrave to Tecoma in protest against the building of a McDonald’s restaurant in the town.
Event organiser Garry Muratore said the crowd was well behaved and the weekend’s rally and march was part of ongoing rolling protests to the construction of the McDonalds restaurant in the town.
The march began at the car park beside Belgrave’s Cameo cinema and finished in the car park of Tecoma Primary School.
“It was a carnival like atmosphere. We had speeches from people involved in the community and the CD launch, too,” Mr Muratore said.
“We had some standout speeches, including James Merlino and Dr Dennis Gration.”
Mr Muratore said the rolling protests were calling on McDonald’s to pull out of the development.
“Yes they have been given the permits, but they have pulled out of areas in the same circumstances in the past,” he said.
“It happened in the Blue Mountains, and even in Belgrave years ago.”