Nelson Community invited to joinYouth Climate Strike Friday
By Nelson Daily Staff
Students, children, parents and everyone from the public is invited to the Climate Strike set to begin in front of City Hall in Nelson Friday, September 20 at approximately 10:30 a.m. Friday.
The event is part of a massive coordinated strike from school to protest government and business inaction on climate change.
The Climate Strike, led by student climate activist Greta Thunberg of Sweden, is likely to be one of the largest environmental protests in history more than 150 countries expected to participate.
“This Strike is organized entirely by Youth and Students, and although all people from a diversity of ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend, our event remains a protest inspired, directed, and composed of youth,” said Linn Murray if Fridays For Future Nelson.
“We have worked hard to get young voices heard, and we would love it if reporting reflected this.”
Following a Welcome Speech and time to prep for signs, the march will wind its way through the streets of Nelson before returning to the city hall courtyard for an Open Mic session.
Workshops, including Managing Climate Anxiety, The Climate Crisis & Health – It’s Getting Personal and Power of the Community, are planned throughout the afternoon before closing statements at 3:45 p.m.
A family friendly dance follows at 7:30 p.m.
“Our impression is that this Climate Strike will be BIG,” Murray said. “Our Facebook event has garnered over 450 responses and has been seen by over 10.2 thousand people.”
Friday’s event in Nelson is the third this year after local students from school in the Nelson area organized strike during the spring to raise awareness about climate change.
Linn said organizers are excited to hear that the Kootenay Co-op grocery Store announced Monday they will be giving all employees paid leave to attend the strike, potentially closing operation for the afternoon.
“The Co-op joins many local businesses and groups who have pledged their support to our Strike, and will be halting operation including Reos Videos, Valhalla Pure, The Yasodhara Ashram, EcoSociety and Library Sustainable Clothing,” said Murray.
Ari Derfel, General Manager at the Kootenay Co-op said staff, Board of Directors and Management all agree we have a responsibility to use our voice in the community to stand up for Climate Action.
“We stand in solidarity with people all around the planet in recognition that we serve our members, our community, and our food system by supporting action on climate change,” Derfel said.
The Kootenay Co-op will remain open during the strike with limited services — no hor bar, no butcher shop or cafe’ drinks.
The Climate Strike comes prior to countries around the world gathering at the United Nations in New York for the Climate Action Summit on September 23.
The meeting, ahead of the UN General Assembly, is where countries are supposed to bring ideas on how to curb greenhouse gases under the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
Locally, the Climate Strike is the first in the Fridays for Future movement where students strike every Friday to demand more aggressive action from government and international community.
