Students at Cranbrook’s Mount Baker Secondary School were on strike Thursday, protesting and demanding action from local politicians on the issue of climate change.
Meeting in the fields adjacent to Mount Baker, hundreds of students gathered with signs and walked out of school early at 11:00 am to peacefully protest.
“Climate change is not a lie, do not let our planet die,” was the chant heard as students walked around the school Thursday morning.
Sally Ruoss, student spokesperson, told MyEastKootenayNow.com before the event that they wanted to bring attention to the climate crisis, inspire change within the community and put pressure on local politicians to help guide that change.
“We don’t really discuss it at school, so that’s another reason why we thought it should be discussed more,” said Ruoss. “The hardest part is just to get the kids, teenagers on board, because a lot of teenagers have their own opinions, so we just need the teens to kind of step up now.”
The students did step up, as hundreds marched around the school on Thursday to bring attention to the issue and to make their demands for action towards climate change.
As well, the Mount Baker students walked over to Cranbrook City Hall to continue their peaceful protest.
More: East Kootenay Students Striking Friday for Climate Change (September 20, 2019)