Montgomery County students participate in DC climate strike

On Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, many students around the DMV attended the climate strike in Washington D.C. 350.org, an international nonprofit organization recorded over 7.6 million people who participated in this global strike. Over 500,000 people participated in a strike for climate change in D.C.

“These strikes are important to me because this is the only earth we’ll ever have,” Walter Johnson senior Yerim Kone, who participated in the climate strike, said. “I can’t stand by and watch it burn because people want to line their pockets.” 

Kone added, “We all need to strike for climate. We have a few corporations slowly roasting our planet while our government does nothing either because they’re complicit or they’re afraid of political backlash. When the will of the one fails, the will of the many triumphs.”

This attitude is shared among many students, such as Richard Montgomery senior Corinne Foley. “I believe that as long as there in inaction from policymakers on the issue, there is a need for climate. The climate wouldn’t need advocating for, if all of our lawmakers were on board,” Foley said. 

“But unfortunately, too many members of Congress believe that climate change is a hoax. It’s up to those of us who know that it is not, to convince them of that fact through advocacy,” Foley continued.

During the strike, participants gathered at John Marshall Park off Pennsylvania Avenue before marching to the Capitol Building. “It was energizing. Being in D.C. with hundreds of others who are different from you, but who stand united for one common cause—it was beautiful,” Kone said. 

Many students chose to attend the march despite having to miss their regular activities . One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, missed out in marching band practice to attend the strike. “I think it was definitely worth it because I saw this as an educational opportunity,” the student said. “And, especially living in the D.C. area, we are privileged in the sense that we can easily attend these marches and activities that focus on making real change. I love marching band, but attending the strike seems to be both urgent and worth it in the long run.” 

The United Nations Climate Action Summit, which spanned from Sept. 21 to Sept. 23, followed the global strike.  In particular, sixteen-year old climate activist Greta Thunberg’s speech empowered many students. “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I’m one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” Thunberg said at a United Nations summit.

“I think it is great that they had Greta Thunberg give a speech despite her youth. Her speech was incredibly powerful,” Foley said. 

On the other hand, Kone said, “While Greta is amazing, I think it’s sad that a Swedish student had more common sense than world leaders. It’s kind of tragic that a 16-year-old is fighting to have a planet in 30 years.” Now, looking ahead into their future, students want change. 

Richard Montgomery sophomore Eleanor Clemans-Cope, who was a speaker at the climate strike in D.C., said, “We’re going to continue striking for climate, jobs and justice and educating other students about the climate crisis, and pressuring MCPS—our public school system—to do their part in stopping the climate crisis.” 

Likewise, Kone said, “I plan on donating to organizations like Greenpeace and others who fight to stop the climate catastrophe. I’ll show up to march and protest and challenge the power until they do their jobs and protect our future.”

“We’re going to continue striking for climate, jobs, and justice and educating other students about the climate crisis, and pressuring MCPS—our public school system— to do their part in stopping the climate crisis. And if elected officials don’t listen, we’re going to make sure that we vote them out, ” Clemans-Cope said.

Article by Sarasi Gunasekara of Richard Montgomery High School

Featured graphic by Angelina Guhl of Richard Montgomery High School