Protest: Third National Climate Change Strike

The third national climate change strike will go down in history as the largest held in Aotearoa.  Friday's strike action in the name of climate change attracted over 170,000 nationwide, according to the strike's organisers.  This is larger than NZ's 1951 industrial strike that saw 22,000 wharfies on the picket lines for 151 days (February to July).  It even out did this year's mega teachers' strike.

I personally saw thousands in the Capital holding placards and signs.  The March stretched from Civic Square to Parliament with no breaks.  In Lambton quay it took over both sides at one point.  Children and adults alike gathered to demand positive and definitive change mitigate the effects of climate change.

 In Wellington organisers, who were mainly High School students, reported 40,000 protesters.  An estimated 80,000 filled Auckland's Aotea Square; 9000 in Christchurch; 9000 in Dunedin; and another 2000 in Palmerston North and Tauranga.

There were believed to be about 45 events occurring nationally.  'School Strike 4 Climate New Zealand' spokesperson Sophie Handford said info was from people at each event, advice from councils, police.

The events were inspired by 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg, who spoke at the UN this week.  Handford is reported to have said the turnout was so large because people are so much more aware of the urgency of the situation. With local body elections, a general election and events in the UN in New York this week, people are on full alert and know they have power to get leaders to take change.  "More and more people are realising that our elected leaders aren't going to take action on the climate crisis without people using their power to show how important this is." (she told Stuff.co.nz).

School Strike 4 Climate New Zealand national coordinator Raven Maeder was reported to say that  everyone should march. "We want people from all walks of life to join us, I can't imagine a future where people are shamed for joining us. They will be celebrated."

Photos and Youtube slide session by Tim Gruar www.freshthinking.net.nz