DECEMBER 6 CLIMATE STRIKE

By: Riya Kumar

Youth-led environmental organization Sunrise organized another climate strike on Friday, December 6, 2019.

Hundreds of students gathered at City Hall on the day of the strike, the majority of them being high school students from the Greater Philadelphia Area, though the students were also joined by both younger and older generations, including students in middle and elementary schools, and even younger, as well as college students, Millenials, Boomers, and generations between. Featured speakers included different students from Philly high schools, as well as green candidates running for local Philly government who came to show their support. Issues ranging from local issues like the dangers and pollution presented by the oil refinery right in Philly and the polluted Schuylkill River, to broader global issues like rising sea levels, floods in Bangladesh, water and food scarcity in Africa, the impacts of climate change in Venezuela, and many more. Striking protesters soon moved on to march through the streets of Philly, demanding change with chants like “Show me what Democracy looks like!” “This is what democracy looks like!” and “System change not climate change!” or “What do we want?” “Climate Justice!” “When do we want it?” “Now!” or even “The People have spoken: our climate is broken!”

One might think that demonstrations and strikes like these can’t possibly make any difference, and would only be a waste of time when one could be at school. But that’s simply not true; yes, strikes and protests are only the beginning, but they raise awareness, making sure the public doesn’t forget about the largest issue humanity must face at the current era, as well as putting pressure on the government, politicians, and others in positions of power. Do not forget the power of the people, of solidarity, of the youth, of passion and will to fight for what is right!