A day to stand up and fight back for climate justice
On Friday September 26, under leadership of Divest Mt. A, students, Tantramar residents, and Seniors for Climate members came out to strike and speak out about climate change and both the local and global effects.
It is crucial to hear a variety of voices express their concern for the future of the Earth. The group met at the R. P. Bell Library, where Divest Mt. A members expressed the grounds for gathering, marched to the Bill Johnston Memorial Park with signs and pro-climate chants, and finished up with sharing words of concern and hope for the future. “The climate emergency is a current danger, particularly to people and nations that are marginalized, historically and currently colonized, facing genocide, those oppressed by the global north, by corporations, by the ruling powers, by the patriarchy,” said Mikko McGregor Corson, the organizer of Divest Mt. A and the strike.
Corson says the major corporations and fossil fuel industries continue to ignore the problem for their profit and at the expense of marginalized communities. “It is not quite climate denial but certainly climate neglect and lack of empathy and a manifestation of colonialism and capitalism,” said Corson. Their goal in striking is highlighting the possible outcomes of change and imagining “a better future that centers reconciliation, land back, Indigenous land mitigation and adaptation, self sufficient communities with energy democracies, local production and ownership of renewable energy, public transportation, access to free food, water, air, medicine, and sovereignty for all.”
Nikol Rimski and Gus Cary, high school students at Tantramar Regional High School, shared why they joined the strike. “I don’t feel like Sackville does a lot of [strikes], and I am glad that it’s happening. When I heard about it, I already knew I was coming. It’s important for this to happen, I’m surprised there is not more,” said Rimski. Cary said “conservation and protecting the Earth and the climate is really important to me.” The strike “a good opportunity for [their] voice to be heard,” says Cary.
To ensure one is comfortable and safe, Rimski recommended to those interested in attending a strike similar to this to “bring water, food, and make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes.” Especially to someone who has never been to a protest or strike, it is helpful to know what is going to happen ahead of time and be prepared for action. “Organized protests are a lot better [than uncoordinated ones] because you know what to do,” said Rimski.
Rimski mentioned self-doubt as a reason people do not speak out about climate change.. “Often if you’re speaking out alone, if you’re protesting alone, it can be scary and make you second guess yourself,” said Rimski. “Having a group of people and knowing that there are people here for the same reason that you are, can help you build confidence.”
Cary suggested to “find like-minded people and connect with them because more people can make more change than just one person.” They also emphasized the importance of “bring[ing] children to things like this, so they are aware of it and can make their voices heard.”
If you would like to learn more about Divest at Mt. A, visit their Instagram page at @divest.mta, as well as Divest Canada Coalition at https://www.divestcanada.ca.