September 27, 2019
Climate dare inspires thousands
One of the organisers of today's climate strike says the response in some quarters to climate activist Greta Thunberg's United Nations speech was pathetic.
Thousands of rangatahi are skipping school today to take part in protests around the country inspired by the Swedish teenagers stance that saving the planet is more important than sitting in class.
Luke Wijohn says they are further inspired by the way she was able to put that message direct to world leaders this week.
"Millions of kids across the planet suffer from climate anxiety, the same feelings that Greta is feeling and all of us are feeling and she was able to word that, she was able to hold these leaders accountable. When they say we're inspiring but continue to do nothing, she stands up there and says 'How dare you,' I thought that was powerful. And then to see a bunch of old white dudes get up on their radio shows or in their articles and bully a 16 year old girl with Aspergers for getting emotional about the death of the planet and everyone on it, it's pathetic really," he says.
Luke Wijohn says the call has gone out for parents and grandparents to join in today's protests, as the fight can't just be left to the kids.
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