Yesterday pupils and students from Glasgow packed George Square to protest for action against climate change.
School pupils from across the UK organised to strike from school with this being the second mass strike to take place this year.
The Scottish Green Party estimated that 2,000 people gathered in George Square to chant and protest.
The event was one of at least fifteen others to take place across the country yesterday, including in Edinburgh and Inverness. Similar events were held around the world with school pupils striking from India to the USA.
The event began at 11am with the coordinator stating their demands. Speeches from several protesters were given, including Green MSP Patrick Harvie. The crowd also danced the Gay Gordons and the Willow Strip.
The official demands were for the Scottish Government to reduce carbon emission in Scotland to net zero by 2025 and reverse any policies which continue to further climate change. They also demanded that the Scottish Government ‘tell the truth’ about climate change. They added that a Scottish Citizens Assembly should be created to ensure these demands are met and to represent a ‘society that cares for all’.
The event was organised by university groups in association with Extinction Rebellion.
Extinction Rebellion said, “The strikes are yet more evidence that people are no longer willing to stand silently by, watching the suicidal trajectory our governments have been following for years.”
“The time to build a new way of doing things, which takes into account the needs of the people, the planet and all life, is now.”
Divest Strathclyde from Strathclyde University attended the protest in George Square and had a banner making workshop for the event.
Sara Cowan, Vice President of Volunteering & Development at the Strathclyde Union, said “It’s so inspiring to see that children are so wise and brave enough to speak up about this. It’s our responsibility as young adults to support them and allow their voice to be heard.”
“It’s on institutions to take a stance on this. It’s frustrating that Strathclyde is still far behind, but I have so much hope for the future because of the students that came and spoke up at the strike, held banners and stood in solidarity.”
By Niamh Macdonald
