Thousands of students, parents, EPA workers and others marched from Grant Park to Federal Plaza Friday morning for the Chicago Youth Climate Strike.
The protest was one of seven events planned around the city in conjunction with the student-led Global Climate Strike movement. The events in Chicago join others from over 150 countries bringing advocates into the streets to demand climate action ahead of a UN emergency climate summit happening Monday. In the U.S., 1,000 protests are planned, according to Climate Strike’s website.
After convening in Grant Park at 11 a.m., protesters began their march to Federal Plaza. “When our planet’s under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!” they chanted.
A glimpse of the growing crowd of protestors marching down Columbus pic.twitter.com/DdQ2CKWwNu
— Ro (@ThatsRo_OnAir) September 20, 2019
Once there, several speakers stood on benches and spoke to the crowd.
“We cannot force them to change but we can force them out of office ... We must elect leaders who prioritize our futures,” said Emily, an organizer of the strike.
The strike effort was galvanized by students who have been walking out of school on Fridays over the last year to demand climate justice. Much inspiration comes from Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish environmentalist who crossed the Atlantic on a sailboat to attend the Monday summit.
“Shame on them!” says Community Organizer and Activist @KinaCollins_ to politicians, teachers and administrators not offering excused absences for Chicago Youth #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/KhcFhmDQ1u
— Ro (@ThatsRo_OnAir) September 20, 2019
Though the event was primarily organized by students, Chicago Public Schools did not give students the day off. Any CPS student who chooses to participate is expected to return to school after the strike, or they will receive an unexcused absence.
“Some elected officials and teachers and administration who didn't excuse your absence today will say that you are wasting time being here,” said community organizer and activist Kina Collins to the crowd at Federal Plaza. “Shame on them!”
Roshaunda Coleman contributed to this report.
