High-school students - and adults - demand immediate action on climate change
![Sign: I'll show up for school when you grow up](https://www.universalhub.com/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2019/climate-skipschool_0.jpg?itok=nkXMP8ts)
Thousands of high-school students and more than a few adults from across the Boston area jammed City Hall Plaza today as part of global climate-strike protests.
![Crowd at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-crowd.jpg)
"We have 11 years, people!" one of the organizers, Saya Ameli Hajebi, a 17-year-old senior at Brookline High School, told the crowd. "We don't have time to waste!"
Hajebi, who moved here from Tehran when she was 9, recalled how, on a visit to the country of Georgia recently to reunite with her cousins and grandparents, who still live in Iran, a car crash almost killed her mom, aunt and cousin - and said she doesn't want anybody else to go through the pain she endured, only because of climate change, whether from a hurricane in the Bahamas or wildfires in California.
And while Republicans in Washington bore the brunt of people's anger at the rally, she pointed to Gov. Baker as well - in fact, the rally became a march from the plaza up to the State House, where Hajebi and others demanded a declaration of a climate emergency and a halt to more construction of fossil-fuel infrastructure in the state.
Hajebi with supporters after she spoke:
![Saya Ameli Hajebi at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-saya.jpg)
A core group of about 40 Boston-area students organized the protest and its logistics. In Boston, BPS students could get an "excused absence" for attending.
Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu (at large) told the crowd that Boston is particularly vulnerable to climate change in the form of rising seas - parts already flood during storms at high tide, she said. But Wu pointed to Boston's history of firsts and activism to point to a more optimistic future, "if we all pull together," from the first public park, public library public school and subway system to the way Bostonians stopped the state from ramming an interstate highway through the heart of the city and won a fight for affordable housing in places such as Tent City.
Now, Bostonians need to demand a ban on further fossil-fuel infrastructure, more protection for wetlands, more green jobs and "public transportation that is reliable, essential and free!" Wu, who took a bus and the Orange Line to the rally, said. She then urged people in the crowd to "turn to your neighbor and say we are in this together! We are in this together!"
The crowd loudly applauded both Wu and Sen. Ed Markey, co-sponsor of the Green New Deal proposal. Markey did not speak, but he walked around City Hall Plaza during the rally.
After her speech, Wu posed with some Northeastern students:
![Wu at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-wu.jpg)
Other scenes from the rally:
![Trump as the tragedy of the commons at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-tragedy.jpg)
![Destroy the patriarch at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-patriarchy.jpg)
![Anti-Trump sign at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-melting.jpg)
![Grandparents at climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-grandson.jpg)
![Anti-Baker at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-baker.jpg)
![The doctor is in at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-5cents.jpg)
![Lorax-like sign at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-lorax.jpg)
The protest moved to the State House:
#ClimateStrike activists have so many people at the Mass State House that they have spilled over into the Ashburton Entrance. The State House is now surrounded by activists on two sides. @clf @universalhub #MaPoli pic.twitter.com/uFzexGLZkp
— Shakeir Gregory (@ShakGreg) September 20, 2019
A button salesman wasn't getting too many sales, but he bopped to the music that played before the speeches began:
![Button man at the climate-change rally](/images/2019/climate-buttonman.jpg)
Ad:
Comments
How embarrassing for
How embarrassing for republicans that kids are more educated and responsible than them.
Embarrassing for Republicans? Huh?
It's amusing not embarrassing for Republicans and the unenrolled to watch as President Obama frolics at his just purchased Massachusetts beachfront, island mansion while his school-skipping flock warn state leaders (who work high on a hill, no less) that they will soon be flooded out. It would take a heart of stone not to laugh.
I know, right!
And just think of all the environmental regulations Obama rolled back during this term. Clearly he didn't care at all!
/S
For Chrissakes
Please just post about Boston civic intrigue and police procedures.
Sorry, Kinopio
These Republicans are as impervious to embarrassment as they are to any of the decent human qualities
You sound like my parents
But, but, but, but - Obama.
But, but, but, but - Hillary.
But, but, but, but - Bill Clinton.
(and occasionally for good measure - Jimmy Carter was the worst president of my life - Carter rant ensues starting with something about being on TV in a sweater)
Granted - hope the Obamas are flying commercial to Martha's vineyard. And what was that Hillary said about old people being "overhoused" and contributing to global warming - herself and her Chappaqua compound included.
FISH
That account is clearly controlled by Russian trolls.
Oh, clearly.
70 likes on that comment? We all know how that works.
The Obamas won't be flying commercial.
Obvious security problems there.
And here I was going to snarkily reply
"Fish takes his lack of education as a badge of honor." Then I thought, "Naw, Fish won't even respond to Kinopio, and a lot of people wouldn't necessarily know who 'Fish' is."
But man, it's like friggin' clockwork. I should've written it down, and taken a picture with a time stamp.
Proposal:
Let's just replace Fish with a bot that just posts this image on every thread - it would save everyone a lot of time.
My god
You really are idiot supreme. I'm starting to think you're our own version of Ann Coulter. She doesn't even believe half the sh*t she spews. She's just a sh*t starter.
MUCH LIKE YOU.
"but Obama"... No f'ing "but obama" about this. I'll keep saying this until my voice is gone (or fingers break)..
OBAMA IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT
OBAMA IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT
OBAMA IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT
OBAMA IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT
OBAMA IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT
OBAMA IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT
OBAMA IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT
OBAMA IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT
WHAT HE AND HIS FAMILY DO IS NONE OF ANYONE'S CONCERN ANYMORE.
So go fold it in four corners and stick it with the pee tape, trumps tax returns, or Hillary's emails.
After three years, I am so done with "but Obama" being spewed as a response to anything.
Some of aren't OK with the
Some of aren't OK with the blatant hypocrisy of your idols. You can feel free to lap it up all you want, some of us are better than that.
Have any of you read what Greta and her friends demands are?
Hilarious, indeed.
Some people aren't okay
With the blatant arrogant and greedy stupidity of yours.
yawn
No where did I say he's an idol.
And since we're talking about hypocrisy.. the GOP has enough of that in their party to go around.
Yep I have. Don't bother me
What does bother me is people like you, who are just willfully ignorant.
Apparently
the Statute of Limitations is "an evolving paradigm".
Butt Obama blamed Bush for
Butt Obama blamed Bush for all 8 years of his presidency.
Are you truly that ignorant?
Or are you just practicing for a role?
Speaking of ignorant, what is
Speaking of ignorant, what is the carbon footprint of the server farm that hosts this website? I bet it runs on fairy dust and unicorn piss.
Unless you’re ready to set your thermostat to 40 deg f in the winter, give up AC in the summer and walk everywhere (don’t say I take public transportation, the two biggest expenses after payroll are electricity and diesel fuel) than you are a hypocrite. No better than the people taking their private jets to the environmental conferences.
There is nothing that will get us out of this mess except for huge human sacrifice. Unfortunately whatever gains we make will be undone by the 500,000,000 soon to be middle class citizens in China and India.
You are supremely ignorant.
You are supremely ignorant. You pollute a ton and yet are mad at people who pollute a little. Younger generations will rightfully piss on your grave because you did not try at all and they have to clean up your mess because you are a lazy, greedy, fat slob.
I see someone gets pretty
I see someone gets pretty angry when they drink too much unicorn piss.
Block function, Adam
This tiresome, unoriginal, pointless, shit-stirring troll contributes nothing. Give us a block function. You know we will fund it.
I lost count but we discussed this a ways back...
How many block function requests are we up to now?
I guess I read Murkin's post differently.
We humans are causing climate change. Every little thing we do is contributing. As long as humans are on this earth, we will negatively affect the climate, air, water... (Yes, I know that includes me.) Every time we build a house, buy a new cell phone, go on vacation, go to work, buy clothing environmental damage is done. Really, the best thing we can do is limit population growth. And hopefully the powers that be in every country finally get their acts together and ramp up all forms of safe, renewable energy.
The party of 'love' and 'tolerance' strikes again
Name calling and fat-shaming? This is disappointing.
So
No you are ignorant.
Let me sum up your comment
"Why bother doing anything when other countries won't do anything"
So we just sit there and do nothing. Got it.
*eye roll*
Both?
I think he's both ignorant and playing a role.
The republicans are the only
The republicans are the only major political party IN THE WORLD that won't acknowledge human causes climate change. That is how dumb and corrupt the republicans are.
Please suck on the tailpipe of a car since you love pollution so much. The sooner you republican slobs die off the sooner we can begin cleaning up your mess.
Sorry Obama doesn't want to live in some shithole flyover red state. Rich republicans don't want to live in republican states either because they are all hell holes.
YOUR mess
Oh Miss/Mr. Holier than thou:
Do you have kids? Climate Change
Do you have heat/hot water? Climate Change
Do you have a cell phone, television, lights, vacuum cleaner, iron etc.? Climate Change
Do you drive, fly, take a bus, train etc.? Climate Change
Do you eat, drink etc.? Climate Change
Do you wear clothes? Climate Change
The deniers have their issues (and hell folks, can't we just clean up the environment?), but until we ALL swear off procreating - ESPECIALLY the more than two kids folks - we are contributors to climate change - no matter how much you rant and rave. And one more news flash - YOUR kids are not going to solve climate change no matter who you are.
No - Obama lives on a flyover island and probably has a massively larger carbon footprint than anyone on this discussion board. He's even holier than you!
I don't drive. I don't eat
I don't drive. I don't eat meat. I recycle. I constantly use reusable bags and cups. What are you doing? Other than typing crap and deflecting?
Most of what you do
Mostly I do what you do. Drive a little, eat some meat. Sue me.
But no kids. That's the kahuna. Human race can get by fine with maybe 3-4 billion of us.
Highly personal choice. But if you have kids, don't go around preaching about climate change. These protesters should be screaming at their parents for having them in the first place. They could have gone to school, learned some science about fixing the problem in biology class and shared the scientific fact with their parents about how sleeping in separate bedrooms fixes climate change in one generation!
The party of 'love' and 'tolerance' strikes once again
Seek help - you scare me.
Hey Dougie
I'd tell you to go fuck yourself, but it is probably your only intimacy option as it is.
You’re a doll....
The party of love and tolerance has struck again :)
Block function, Adam
The sockpuppets don't add anything.
At least 2 block function requests on this post by itself...
Haven’t finished scrolling yet, but you’re on a roll.
Hey Dougie
I'd tell you to go fuck yourself, but it is probably your only intimacy option as it is.
WahhhaaaH??
From what I've seen about the rallies here and there on the media -- I'd give the participants and their signs a Huge F
These kids demonstrations show that they don't actually know anything except mindless slogans and bullet points prepared for them and tweeted by "influencers"
The Climate Alarmists are ignorant about nearly everything from what it takes to make an economy function, to how the various geographical, biological and physical factors combine together in exquisite complexity to give us our weather and climate. Rather than being exposed to actual scientific principles -- they are indoctrinated in AlGorist rhetoric.
But most importantly -- the kids don't know that they are just useful tools being manipulated by very dangerous forces who want to remake the world's economy and polity for their own ideological purposes.
As Sebastian Gorka said recently -- "It's not the Green New Deal -- it's the Green New Steal -- Green on the outside like a Watermelon -- but inside its Deep Red as in Communism" this echos the comments of the former President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus [2003-2013] who said the Greens are the New Reds
Ultimately the problem is that people no longer are taught to Think Critically and Analytically -- we expect Google to do our thinking for us -- and then we retweet what someone else tweeted to us -- without thinking -- examples abound ad nauseum
PS: Google the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 -- note that 3 Billion with a B trees were lost to the winds which blew at Hurricane force in Montpelier Vermont [first and only time there have been Hurricane force winds in Vermont] -- wonder if Bernie is aware
Some people are silent ignorant dumbasses
You are clearly not a silent one. You talk a good game, but your lack of critical vetting of your highly spurious sources - like NAZI PRICK GORKA for shit's sake - cleraly put you in the dumbass category.
Making nice words doesn't mean you are smart if you are completely incapable of understanding how very moronic and evil your "smells like science" sources are.
Go back to school and learn proper critical thinking.
Own goal
Oh my. This...is the pure distilled essence of an own goal.
How embarrassing for you.
The fear mongering
Is starting to resemble Y2K. Yes we should take care of our planet, no we will not die in 11 years.
Pro Tip before you comment again
Nobody said the planet will die in 12 years - except some morons who didn't bother reading the IPCC report.
What SCIENTISTS who authored the report DID SAY was that WE HAVE 12 YEARS TO DECARBONIZE OUR ENERGY SYSTEMS OR WE ARE PERMANENTLY FUCKED.
Put down the ignorant Faux Snuz spin and read the goddamn report honey. Just. Go. Read. It.
Correct me if I’m wrong
Shouldn’t those kids be in school?
You're wrong
In Boston, at least, BPS said they'd treat any absences for this as "excused."
What's more important: 4th
What's more important: 4th period art class or having breathable air that doesn't give you lung cancer?
Paraphrasing Greta
Why bother preparing for a future that may not come because everyone was in school studying and nobody did anything?
Retort, paraphrasing Omar
Oh on the contrary. Some people did something.
Great strategy
A while back, the world was supposed to end. There was another instance where it was supposed to again after that. What happened? It's almost like there was fear mongering or something.
The kids should all skip school when they can barely read in the first place, then when they're older they can all protest with pink pussy hats on, make baseless demands and shout over anyone with a differing opinion. Starbucks might even pay them $25/hour if they whine and stamp their feet enough.
The future is bright, I tell you.
Moooooo
Baahhhh.
Moooo.
Bahhhh.
OMG SOSHALIZMS! OMG!
Mooo. Bahhh.
No meds again?
Don’t think I’ve seen these noises from you before. Hope you are feeling ok.
And remember, socialism was never done “properly” before....Has nothing to do with the fact that it’s horrific idea and has failed every time it’s ever been tried. It was all the “method” that was the issue.
Beacons of light like Sanders/Warren/et all will make sure correct protocol is followed this time.
Something to look forward to!
You're wrong.
Schools have 3 purposes: educating the kids, credentialing the kids, and warehousing the kids.
Our governing party has made it abundantly clear that it does not value education, and openly celebrates ignorance when it comes to science.
It has made it abundantly clear that getting credentialed with the wrong transcript only makes you an enemy of the people.
So that leaves warehousing as the one remaining purpose. That makes walkouts particularly appropriate.
Quoting a song that debuted when I was 4
Written by a man who was born in the first half of the 20th century:
Sad showing in Boston?
Really Boston - only about 7,000 protesting in City Hall Plaza? NYC had almost 250,000 protesters.
Kids all over the world seemed more engaged than in Boston. Don’t our kids care? We can all do better.
Thank you Greta.
The Global Climate Strike website
"Climate Justice...An energy revolution with equity and reparations".
I suggest you visit the site and see how wacky and cultish this group sounds.
Most people are in favor of keeping our planet healthy and clean but this group is out there where the cows don't fart.
Boston's administration
is wholeheartedly contributing to climate change by allowing overbuilding. So much green, open space in this city has been lost in the last few years. Walsh and his crew are destroying this city and the climate. But I guess his solution will be to build a sea wall all around the city thus giving his union buddies even more work which is really all he cares about.
Overbuilding?
You know what contributes an enormous amount to carbon foot print?
Fetishizing greenspaces!
Why?
Because, the more people you push to the outer fringes of a city THE MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO DRIVE.
Greenspace fetish is a serious problem of NIMBYISM in the US.
Beautiful day!
And what a beautiful day it was for the Boston protestors! Cool, crisp New England fall day! With all those iPhones and their lithium batteries waiting to get recharged after a long hard day posting virtue signaling selfies to Facebook's server farms!
Awwww
Is someone showing their ignorance with moral purity arguments and mischaracterizations of weather = climate again?
Oh, and you know what: TEMPERATURES WERE IN THE 80s. That is NOT a crisp fall day, honey - well, maybe now that we have the climate that Washington DC did in the 1980s it is ...(yes, I did a statistical analysis of 5 years of weather)
The Sealioning
is strong in this thread.