September 23, 2019
Climate change has been a topic of discussion for decades, but today, the youth has been recognized for sharing deep concerns about their future and whether or not it will be safe for them to go outside in the coming years.
On Friday, September 20, 2019, students of Los Angeles County walked out of school to gather at Pershing Square in Downtown to support the Youth Climate Strike. A great majority of those in attendance were children ranging from preschoolers with parents to high school students with high hopes to have their voices heard and to push for climate action, such as the Green New Deal.
The Associated Press reported that Mayor Eric Garcetti addressed the crowds and announced that he will be setting a Youth Council on Climate Action that would be comprised of 17 high school and college students.
Downtown Los Angeles was not the only SoCal area to show their passion for Climate Action. Multiple strike events were scheduled at City Hall, USC, Westchester, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Pasadena, Long Beach, Anaheim, Tustin, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Claremont.
According to Quartz data, over 4 million people around the world participated in the youth-led Climate Strike, deeming it the largest climate mobilization in history. Organizers of the event estimated a total of 6,000 events in more than 1,000 cities across 185 countries.
Highlights in the U.S.:
New York, NY - CBS News reported over 250,000 protesters in New York City had completed a 1.3-mile march from Foley Square to Battery Park where teen activist, Greta Thunberg, was speaking.
Portland, OR - KOIN reported thousands of students were demanding action on the global climate crises and walked out of class on Friday to participate in the protest and march from City Hall to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry for a climate conference.
San Francisco, CA - CBS San Francisco reported thousands rallying near House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi’s office at the Federal Building and took off marching down Market Street which chanting, “climate change has got to go.”
Chicago, IL - CBS Chicago reported many thousands at the Chicago Climate Strike in downtown Chicago. Protesters marched to Federal Plaza and called on Governor J.B. Pritzker to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act that would put the state on a path to 100% clean energy by 2050.
This year, we were lucky enough to have so many inspiring young people come forward and support the Climate Strike all across the globe. Now is the time to speak out for Climate Action and make a change for the future of humanity.
Share your experience or participation at the Climate Strike below in the comments!