Thousands join Greta at city’s climate rally
Swedish activist speaks at legislature as counter-protest rolls in from Red Deer
Thousands of people marched through downtown Edmonton to the Alberta legislature Friday for a climate strike that included 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg while a counter-protest made its way from Red Deer in support of Alberta oil and gas.
Organized by Climate Justice Edmonton and a number of other grassroots organizations, including Beaver Hills Warriors, Edmonton Youth for Climate and Extinction Rebellion, Friday’s climate strike “made history” as thousands of people demanded climate action and a new green deal for Canada.
Edmonton police pegged its crowd estimate at 4,000 but Climate Justice Edmonton estimated about 10,000 gathered together at the legislature grounds. Police said about 2,500 marched from Beaver Hills House Park on Jasper Avenue through downtown to the legislature.
“Today, Albertans delivered a strong message of unity, that the status quo is long longer acceptable, that a just transition is possible and it needs to happen now. Today, the people rose up to follow the leadership of Indigenous communities who’ve led the resistance on this territory for decades and have been protecting this land for millennia,” said Paige Gorsak of Climate Justice Edmonton.
“We’re so happy to have had Greta Thunberg here today from Sweden to bring the energy of the global movement that she has sparked to amplify the voices of resistance from this place, even if the government behind us is plugging their ears, even if they are denying the science and vilifying the citizens.”
Gorsak said Thunberg, who began the climate strike movement, reached out to Climate Justice Edmonton to join them in their Friday march. Youth leaders gave speeches on the steps of the legislature in front of the thousands who gathered. Thunberg was the last to speak and approached the microphone to cheers and the crowd chanting her name.
Thunberg said the many young people and Indigenous leaders gathered together are “the hope.”
She said young people are not striking around the globe because they want to, that it’s fun, or because they have a special interest in climate or want to be politicians.
“We are doing this because our future is at stake.”
Thunberg said if people really knew the full consequences of the climate and ecological emergency, they would join them in the streets.
“Some people say that we are fighting for our future, but that is not true. We are not fighting for our future. We are fighting for everyone’s future,” Thunberg said. “And if you think we should be in school instead, then we suggest you take our place in the streets. Or better yet, join us so we can speed up the process.”
Earlier in the morning, a counter-protest was held with the United We Roll for Canada convoy coming up from Red Deer to meet supporters outside of Edmonton at a truck stop parking lot in Nisku.
About 50 people planned to drive by the climate rally to demonstrate their support of Canada’s oil and gas industry, but not directly engage with them.