It was a big turnout, with perhaps 300 people, mostly young people but including other local environmental activists, and the local CCL was out in force, as well.
Youth for Climate Justice. This rally followed a city and even county-wide student walk-out of classes in high schools and middle schools. The first targets to march in protest on downtown examples of climate injustice (banks mostly!), and to then rally at the Farmer's Market Lot to hear short speeches and informative education and announcements from mostly student speakers, but also a few climate leaders in the county, including myself. The event was organized with the leadership of Santa Cruz High School climate activist Tamarah Minami. The event also was a demonstration against the proposed new massive concrete parking structure (with library crushed underneath on the first floor) planned for the current Farmer's Market lot, instead of the permanent community gathering place that so many in the county want.
I joined the rally and took special encouragement from their list of 10 demands, which include...
5. Local Schools and Universities mandate climate curriculum at all grade levels.
and took some pictures of the event as well...
It was a big turnout, with perhaps 300 people, mostly young people but including other local environmental activists, and the local CCL was out in force, as well. |
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Tamarah, impressive in her leadership, take-no-nonsense maturity, and knowledge. Only a sophmore at SCHS. Another Greta on the way? |
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Hand prints formed the needle clusters for this tall redwood. |
We were invited to add our name to each root of this giant painted redwood. |
UCSC Sociology professor Derede Arthur, and loyal supporter and veteran of my Astro 7 "Planetary Climate Science" course. |
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Waiting my turn by the speaker's stage... |
And couldn't resist posing with this pugnacious astro-themed poster |
This beautiful tree, and the rest of the trees on this acre, are "targeted for termination", if that ugly parking garage goes in. |
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