Tomorrow, Friday Sept 20th sees millions of people expected to take to the streets in Ireland and across the globe demanding that our governments take strong actions now, in line with the science, in order to avert the very worst impacts of climate breakdown in the years and decades ahead.
Protest marches are planned in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Galway, Kerry, Clare, Drogheda, Navan, Limerick, Dundalk, Bantry, Donegal and Kenmare, as well as over 60 local support events planned by communities across Ireland.
On March 15th last, between 10-15,000 students took to the streets of Dublin, joining more than 1.4 million young people worldwide in the Student Strike. “This demonstration of mass public support for radical action on climate shook the Irish political establishment, and paved the way for the Dáil declaration of a Climate & Biodiversity Emergency just weeks later and helped to galvanise public and political action on climate”, according to Phil Kearney, Chair of An Taisce.
While tomorrow’s strike is student-led, since this crisis affects us all, everyone is encouraged to take to the streets to remind our politicians that we demand they take action, however difficult or unpopular, in line with the science. Many employers and institutions, such as DCU and UCC have publicly backed the strike, and have encouraged their staff and students to take to the streets.
An Taisce regrets the statement issued by the principal of Blackrock College, Dublin, who was quoted as follows: “No one can deny the importance of the climate emergency but I feel attendance at these events has at best a neutral impact on the campaign and inevitably a negative impact on schooling.” We respectfully disagree. In the words of iconic student climate protestor, Greta Thunberg: “We’ve come here to let you know that change is coming, whether you like it or not. The real power belongs to the people”.
Our young have done the least to drive this crisis, yet will suffer the most in the years and decades ahead. They are entitled to express their anger and their frustration at our inaction, and they are also entitled to expect our full support and solidarity.
CONTACT: John Gibbons, PRO, An Taisce climate change committee: 087 233 2689
ENDS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
National map of events, as prepared by Stop Climate Chaos coalition:
https://www.actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/climate-strike-map
Details of main protests
Dublin:
- 12:00 – gather at Custom House Quay
- 12:30 – march to Merrion Square
- 1pm – stage at Merrion Square (government buildings)
- 2pm – ends
Cork:
- 12:00 gather at City Library
- 12:20 march Patricks Street, Parnell Place, South Mall and loop back to City Library
- 2pm – ends
