Activists stage global climate protests
They also speak out against war in Ukraine
BERLIN – Climate activists staged a 10th series of worldwide protests Friday to demand that leaders take stronger action against global warming, with some linking their environmental message to calls for an end to the war in Ukraine.
The Fridays for Future movement, inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, called demonstrations from Indonesia to Europe and the United States.
In Jakarta, activists dressed in red robes and held placards demanding “system change not climate change.”
Others held a banner saying “G-20, stop funding our extinction,” a reference to the fact that the Group of 20 biggest developed and emerging economies accounts for about 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Indonesia hosts the group’s next summit this fall.
In Rome, protesters carried a giant inflatable globe through the streets and a banner reading “Make school, not war.”
Some 300 protests were planned in Germany, which has taken in about 250,000 Ukrainian refugees in the past month.
Thousands of mostly young people, many carrying Ukraine’s yellow and blue national flag, marched through Berlin’s government district to the Brandenburg Gate – long a symbol of the Cold War division between East and West.
Those speaking at the Berlin rally included two young Russian activists, who denounced their government’s actions in Ukraine.
“There are a lot of Russian people who are against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, and they do not support what Putin is doing,” Polina Oleinikova told The Associate Press.
Oleinikova, 19, said that people who speak out against the government in Russia now “risk to be imprisoned on a daily basis.”
“It is very scary and we are afraid, but still we are (doing) our activism because we feel that it is very important,” she said. “It is the right thing to do and we won’t stop.”
Fellow climate activist Arshak Makichyan said the war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West were also having a drastic impact on the Russian economy.
“Everything we had is collapsing,” he said, adding that he hoped Putin would be forced to resign and brought to trial.
Ilyess El Kortbi, a 25-year-old who helped set up Fridays for Future Ukraine, praised his fellow activists from Russia for speaking out.
“They are doing the best they can,” he told the AP. “Even if their regime is authoritarian and really repressive, they still continue standing with us against Putin.”
El Kortbi, who managed to flee just before the Russian advance reached his home city of Kharkiv, appealed to Germany and other European countries to stop buying fossil fuels from Russia.
“The war in Ukraine could stop anytime,” he said. “The EU and especially Germany just need to stop financing this.”
That message was echoed by many Germans at the march, frustrated that their country is paying tens of millions of euros (dollars) a day to buy fossil fuels that contribute to Moscow’s war chest even as the burning of oil, gas and coal harms the planet.
“We are here today to show that peace and climate justice belong together,” said Clara Duvigneau, a student from Berlin.
She said Germany should invest in renewable energy rather than seek alternative sources of oil and gas from places such as the Gulf or the United States.
“We want the energy transition to happen as quickly as possible,” said Duvigneau.
Several hundred young people gathered in Paris, marching from the domed Pantheon on the Left Bank to the Bastille plaza.
They carried signs reading “Wake Up” with a drawing of a burning Earth, calling on French presidential candidates to do more to fight climate change, or accusing French oil company TotalEnergies of cozying up to Putin for its refusal to pull out of Russia.
OKLAHOMA CITY - John Pascoe Jewell was born on August 12, 1953 in Oklahoma City, OK to William C. Jewell and Utona (Nix) Jewell. Surrounded by his loving family, John joined his heavenly family on March 23, 2022.
Raised as a Catholic, John attended Bishop John Carroll School and Bishop McGuinness High School, graduating in 1971. He studied Business Administration and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Oklahoma State University. Thus began his love of the OSU Cowboys.
John was employed with Oklahoma Mortgage Company working alongside his aunt, Louise Jewell. He then worked for 25 years at Liberty National Bank serving as Vice President in Cash Management. He retired in 1997 to care for his twin sons.
John’s four children, Elizabeth, Caroline, William, and Michael, were the pride and joy of his life and he encouraged and supported them in all their endeavors. He guided the boys through their scouting years, attending every campout and assisting them in achieving their Eagle Scout rank. The most notable trip was when he led the scout troop on a canoeing excursion in Northern Minnesota in the summer of 2010. He was an involved father for all their sporting events, especially football and wrestling. He enjoyed taking his children on family vacations and enjoyed spending time with them at their college events. Each of his four children holds two college degrees.
July 20, 1991, John married Christine Codding, M.D. They had over 30 years of blissful marriage. They loved taking road trips and traveled on numerous adventures. His favorite areas included Monument Valley and Custer’s Last Stand in Little Big Horn, Montana.
John was a very dedicated grandfather. He shared his love of trains with his grandchildren and would often take them on train rides. He enjoyed driving them to school when needed and attended many of their sporting and school events. His eyes lit up at the sight and sounds of his newest grandbabies too. He adored his grandchildren.
John was a faithful steward of the Catholic Church. He served 13 years teaching the Confirmation classes at Our Lady’s Cathedral. He also served on the Finance Committee at St. Eugene, delivered Meals on Wheels, and always looked out for his elderly neighbors. His hobbies included golfing with buddies, maintaining his beautiful backyard, grilling outback, volunteering at the train museum, and he was a real history buff.
John was preceded in death by his parents, William C. and Utona Jewell. He is survived by his wife, Christine; children, Elizabeth Christine Middaugh ( Jeff ); Caroline Jewell Rogers (Sean); William Olson Jewell; and Michael Pascoe Jewell (Dani). His grandchildren Mason Edward Middaugh, Emery Nicole Middaugh, Paige Jewell Rogers, and Charlotte Louise Jewell. Brothers William (Cary) Jewell, David Jewell; sisters Annie Tobin and Tona Jewell; and his favorite uncle, Edwin (Duke) Nix. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews who dearly loved their uncle, and his many, many friends. We will all miss him dearly.
A Wake and Rosary will be held Sunday, March 27 at 4 pm at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N. May Avenue, OKC with visitation from 9 am to 4 pm; Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, March 28 at 10 am at Our Lady’s Cathedral, 3214 N. Lake Avenue, OKC. Burial to follow at Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 NW Grand Blvd, OKC.