Reporting from London – On Friday, an estimated 10,000 British students cut school to join the wave of student strikes in Europe. Students are demanding immediate government and corporate action to stem climate change. Authorities reported student walkouts in over sixty cities and towns including London, Brighton, Cornwall, Oxford, Exeter, Leeds Bristol, Sheffield, and Glasgow, and as far north as the Scottish Highlands, as students defied threats of detention and parents faced fines of as much as $100 for permitting truancy.
The actions were coordinated by Youth Strike 4 Climate. Banners declared "There is no planet B" and “Climate over capitalism.” In London and Brighton roads were blocked by student protests and traffic in front of the British Parliament building was brought to a standstill until mounted police intervened. Protestors chanted “Turn off your engines” at motorists and “We want the chance for change now.” In London, police arrested two teenagers for obstructing the highway and a 17-year-old boy for a public disorder.
Anna Taylor, 17, a spokesperson for the students declared “It goes some way to proving that young people aren’t apathetic, we’re passionate, articulate and we’re ready to continue demonstrating the need for urgent and radical climate action.” In Manchester, Matt Sourby, 18, said his journey from the Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, was worth it because “This is our future and this is making a difference. The government has to listen. I feel incredibly powerful just being here.”
In Exeter, Sophie Sleeman, 17, who helped organize the local strike, told reporters that her school had told her to call off the walkout, but students refused because "the education system, the media and government aren't doing enough to tackle climate change or portray its severity to us." She added, "I am feeling an incredible sense of solidarity with everyone protesting. I feel like I am implementing change.”
A global school walkout is planned for March 15.
The Guardian posted a video of the British student protests on their website.
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