Protestors at a climate strike in Hackney, East London
| Matthew Linares, openDemocracy
Climate crisis protests reached a new pitch today as the first Friday of the Global Climate Strike saw adults join children’s marches worldwide.
Mass protests and smaller local gatherings from the Philippines to New York kick-started a season of action to pressure governments and the powerful for urgent change.
We spoke to a variety of locals at an event in Hackney, East London about how to get involved with the movement, what inspires them to do so, and who else we should talk to for answers on the issue.
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Here Chloe and Lulu from the Hackney Extinction Rebellion chapter explain how young people can, and must, assume power, and how Extinction Rebellion is inspiring necessary disruption.
“It’s really not about blaming and shaming anyone. We are all part of a system and we will need everyone to help fight the climate crisis.”
Activists at the Global Climate Strike, September 2019
| Olivia Thompson
As the strike started to clear, many who’d taken the day off lingered on the steps of Hackney Town Hall to chat.
[Children] don’t have any other democratic ways of expressing their opinion or displeasure with the way things are going. I think they could be doing more at school in terms of raising awareness of the issues and maybe if they were, we wouldn’t feel the need to strike.
Protestors at a climate strike in Hackney, East London 2019
| Matthew Linares
We spoke to a group of schoolchildren who found out about the protest through a teacher.
They continued chanting as they made their way home.
I’m sick of hearing about animals dying because of our traces, our plastic we are throwing away. We’re doing all we can to prevent this stuff.
Protestors at a climate strike in Hackney, East London 2019
| Matthew Linares, openDemocracy
Others felt less encouraged. Mature student Andre said he didn’t want to take part.
I look at my carbon footprint and how much plastic I’m taking, but there’s not much more I personally can do.
Passer-by at a climate strike in Hackney, East London 2019
| Olivia Thompson
Some bystanders paused for over an hour to watch the protest.
I’ll be speaking to my friends and family. The fact that people have got together is quite amazing.
Passer-by at a climate strike in Hackney, East London 2019
| Olivia Thompson
Woman holds Extinction Rebellion flag at a protest in Hackney, East London, 2019
| Olivia Thompson
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