Vancouver youth climate activists expect tens of thousands for protest featuring Thunberg
Posted October 24, 2019 7:37 pm.
Last Updated October 25, 2019 12:28 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Students who want to catch climate protester Greta Thunberg in Vancouver Friday won’t have to skip school.
Schools province-wide will be closed for a Professional Development Day.
A local youth organizer is optimistic that the Pro-D day, combined with the star-power of Thunberg and the fact that it’s the first action being held post-election will draw tens of thousands to the streets of the city.
“I know that there are some other youth organizers from Victoria actually who are coming over for the day, coming to support our strike,” says Samantha Lin with Sustainabiliteens.
RELATED: 100,000 climate strikers take over Vancouver streets
Lin credits Indigenous leadership on environmental issues, saying Thunberg’s crucial contribution was the way she invigorated youth.
“Greta just really helped amplify that message and help spread it to youth all around the world. Now we see millions of youth striking,” she says. “I think that’s just super empowering for everybody. It really gives us a sense of unity.”
Friday’s protest will begin with a rally at 11 a.m. at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
After that, there will be a march through downtown.
This Friday October 25th I’ll join the climate strike in Vancouver, BC!
11am at Vancouver Art Gallery.#ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/2jTGxlVQf2— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 23, 2019
Lin says the march will wind up back where it started but the route it will take isn’t being revealed.
The demonstration is set to wrap up at 2 p.m.
“It’s going to be an exciting day tomorrow for all of us in Vancouver tomorrow,” Lin says, adding she doesn’t expect Thunberg to be met with counter-protesters like she was earlier this month in Edmonton.
