For Immediate Release, August 20, 2019
Contact: Julia Williams, (970) 948-1439, outreach@350colorado.org
Colorado Youth Call For Massive Climate Strike in September
Thousands prepare to strike, demanding urgent climate action
DENVER – Colorado youth are calling for a massive climate strike on September 20— one month from today — urging people to leave their workplaces, homes, and classes for the streets to demand an end to the age of fossil fuels.
The strikes in Denver and Colorado Springs will kick off a week of events (Sept. 21-29) as part of the Global Climate Strike & Week of Actions. Led by youth protestors, thousands will walk out of school and work to join mass marches and rallies, sit-ins and nonviolent direct action. Organizers say it is on course to be the largest-ever global mobilization for climate action.
“We are striking to ensure that Indigenous voices are being represented in the fight for Climate Justice. As marginalized communities we are disproportionately impacted by climate change and often excluded from the climate crisis discussions. We bring with us the teachings and prayers of our ancestors and the voices of those that were never heard. We are here to dismantle the beliefs systems that divide us to unite the people on all fronts. Every voice is important no matter how quiet. A’ho Mitakuye Oyasin / All My Relations,” said Thomas Lopez, International Indigenous Youth Council.
The strike comes as officials warn of just 11 years to implement sweeping changes to prevent climate collapse that would cause massive social upheaval and spell disaster for Colorado’s communities, forests, rivers, endangered species, and outdoor recreation industry.
Colorado’s youth strike organizers are calling to end all fossil fuel expansion, a rapid and equitable transition to 100% renewable energy, and for fossil fuel companies to be held responsible for the damage they have caused.
“The time for complacency has long gone, and young people will not be ignored. We will hold our government accountable to fight for a just and equitable future for everyone. We are coming together to show our elected officials that our lives are at stake, and we will not stand back or stay silent while they continue to do nothing about the climate crisis,” said Michele Weindling of the Boulder/Denver Sunrise Movement. “We are the power, and we aren’t going to stop speaking out until the people are put first and the fossil fuel industry is put to rest.”
Climate strikes were started by school students organizing through the #FridaysForFuture platform. For the first time since the youth climate strike movement began, adults will strike alongside young people to show support and solidarity.
“I am joining the youth and striking because ozone-alert days are constant in the summer. I strike because we need to put people’s health over private profits, and because we use up the entire world’s resources in less than half a year, every year; it is unsustainable. I strike because as an American, it’s my responsibility to speak up for the quality of everyone’s life, not just my own,” said Jan Rose Co-Founder, Climate Reality Project Denver-Boulder Chapter.
The weeklong movement will surround the UN Climate Summit being held on September 23 in New York, which aims to meet the climate challenge by accelerating actions to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“The science couldn’t be more clear: we must transition rapidly off fossil fuels, largely over the next decade, to protect life on Earth as we know it. Youth are calling on caring adults to join them in demanding change to address the climate crisis, and we have a responsibility to stand up for our children and future generations” said Micah Parkin, Executive Director of 350 Colorado.
“A livable climate tomorrow requires halting public-lands fossil fuel expansion today. We’re proud to stand with Colorado’s youth calling for climate solutions that match the scale of the crisis,” said Taylor McKinnon, senior public lands campaigner with the Center for Biological Diversity.
Sign up to #StrikeWithUs at http://climatestrikeactionweek.co/
The Colorado Climate Strike Week of Action is supported by:
Sunrise – Colorado Springs
Greenpeace Colorado
Earth Focus Group
Clean Energy Action
Colorado Renewable Energy Society
Renewables Now Loveland
Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate
500 Women Scientists
Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission
Global Greengrants Fund Inc.
350 Colorado
Be the Change USA
Earth Guardians
Eco-Justice Ministries
Extinction Rebellion – Denver
Greenfaith
International Indigenous Youth Council – Denver
Sunrise – Boulder
The Climate Mobilization
Wall of Women Colorado
North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE)
Catholic Network US
Center for Biological Diversity
Colorado Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
Fort Collins Sustainability Group
Wind & Solar Denver
Extinction Rebellion Fort Collins
Climate Reality Project
Indivisible Denver
Denver Metro Sierra Club
Boulder CAN
11th Hour Calling
What the Frack? Arapahoe
Keep Colorado Green
NAACP – Colorado Springs
Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center
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