Climate change activists net Judy’s support on her graduation day
JUDY Murray OBE took time out of her Honorary Degree Graduation Ceremony yesterday to show support for climate change protester Erin Curtis.
Judy, who helped coach sons Andy and Jamie to achieve world number one status in singles and doubles, was among three honorary graduates being awarded honorary doctorates from The Open University including crime writer Louise Walsh and campaigner Dr Corinne Hutton.
Whilst posing for pictures at the top of the Royal Concert Hall Steps, a group of youth climate change activists gathered to demonstrate against climate change.
Holding placards showing warnings of the damage to fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emission, the young demonstrators were celebrating the end of this week as Week of Action.
Among the demonstrators was Erin Curtis, Glasgow’s answer to Greta Thunberg who was instrumental in the organisation of last week’s march for Climate Strikes.
The protesters were then joined by Judy, who spoke to them of her support of their work in demonstrating against climate change and global warming.
Speaking exclusively to the Evening Times, Erin said: “Today is our final day of the Week of Action, what we’ve called ‘The End of the Beginning’.
“It symbolises the end of this week but just the beginning of the movement, and everything that’s happening.
“People are here today just to wrap up and finish with a strike, to symbolise the end of an amazing week’s work and how that won’t be the end of the movement, but the beginning.
“We are striking here on the Buchanan street steps as there was a rally on today in George Square. It has been very wet and we’ve been dealing with that, but we’ve had a good turnout for a low profile strike, and it was amazing to meet Judy Murray.
“Judy told us that she was really supportive of everything that we’ve been doing. It is obviously amazing to hear that from a woman like her.”
Judy was ‘delighted’ to collect her award, saying: “I have worked for most of my coaching career to make tennis more inclusive and more accessible to anyone who has an interest in playing.
“I’m delighted to receive this award from The Open University because for fifty years it has done something similar with higher education, opening up university study to everyone, regardless of who or where they are.
“My experience in tennis also means I know the value of dedicated effort in pursuit of your goals.”
Erin has recently been hailed as Glasgow’s answer to Greta Thunberg after her activist work in the city.
Last Friday over 10,000 are thought to have attended the climate strike march in Glasgow city centre, which has since been regarded as one of the biggest climate change demonstrations the city has seen.