Teenagers take charge in 2019 Climate Strike
September 23, 2019
DALLAS- Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge calling for legislators to address climate change. This international initiative, #GlobalClimateStrike, has resulted in thousands of youth-led protests, including several in the Metroplex.
The event began at the west end of the bridge where representatives from several organizations spoke to the crowd about the importance of climate activism, notably Lush, a cosmetics company based in the United Kingdom, which closed all of its stores so employees can participate in marches across the globe.
For some attendees, climate activism has always been part of their life.
“[When I lived] in California, we’d do beach clean-ups as elementary school students,” attendee Victor Randall said. “[Those clean-ups] brought awareness about the issue for me.”
Among the hundreds of students and adults marching, numerous young children held posters as they marched. A common theme between all protesters, is their great concern for the future generations.
“[I’m] definitely afraid for the generation behind us,” attendee Annie Ngyuen said. “[I’m worried] to see what day we will live until because our home is being destroyed by us. The facts are scary, for sure.”
Some protesters rallied for the Green New Deal, climate reform bills proposed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) and Senator Ed Markey (MA) in early 2019, but were not passed.
Others support a different solution by our elected officials.
“[The government should pass] regulations for non-renewables, and should recognize[the issue],” attendee Emily Panozzo said. “Further than that, I think there is a lot of [benefits in solar energy] if we just make the investment now.”
Although the solution to climate change isn’t clear, all protestors are inspired to start reform in their community.
“I’m just really excited that something is actually happening in Dallas for climate change,” attendee Kali Blackshear said. “I really wanted to be part of it and just see everybody else that is inspired by it too.”
Follow Anvitha Reddy on Twitter @anvithareddytx
