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People on almost every continent gathered for marches and rallies to celebrate Global Climate Justice Day on Saturday, midway through the Glasgow climate summit.
Activists in the Philippines, eight hours before Britain, had already finished their rally when protesters gathered in Scotland. There were also rallies in South Korea, Indonesia, the Netherlands and France. The Belgian arm of Extinction Rebellion occupied a street in Brussels.
It rained heavily on the Scottish morning, but the early mood was characterized by happy acceptance. “What do you expect from protests in Glasgow?” asked Lucy Bell, who works for Vegan Kind, an online vegan supermarket based in Rutherglen. “There are so many people here from different backgrounds. It’s easy to get discouraged by the closed-door negotiations, but I’m optimistic this morning despite the rain. “
In Glasgow city center, the Scientist Rebellion direct action group blocked King George V Bridge, one of the main routes to the south side, at around 11:30 a.m. More than 20 scientists, from students to retired professors, all wore lab coats and stood chained by the neck. The coalition of active academics believes nonviolent civil disobedience is the only remaining way to raise awareness of the extreme of the climate crisis.
“There were 25 former cops with no measurable greenhouse gas impact [greenhouse gas] -Emissions, â€said Tim Hewlett, co-founder and one of those on the bridge. “In fact, around half of all greenhouse gas emissions have been released since COP1 in 1995. So we’re not here to tell the truth to the mighty – they already know – but to speak to the powerless and to raise their voices. â€Hewlett added that the lab coats they wore provided at least some protection from the rain offered. The bridge was closed until just before 4 p.m. and the group said 21 people had been arrested.
The march began around noon and was led by a small group of First Nation people from the Kahnawake Mohawk area of ​​Quebec, Canada.
“It is so obvious that the indigenous peoples have the answers – they need to start listening and thinking seven generations ahead, not just the immediate need,” said Karahkwintha, 23.
Ohontsakahte, 26, added, “Unfortunately, corporate interests are at the forefront of the cop venue, so indigenous people are leading the movement here today – and so it should be in the cop venue. We are here to bring indigenous voices to the forefront of the climate crisis. “
Police delegates were also scattered among the huge crowds. Tracy Sonny, 37, a Botswana cop negotiator focused on climate adaptation and capacity building, was on the march to show solidarity and demand greater unity. “We need more political will and a change in mindset … we are already feeling the effects of climate change; We have to react now, people are drowning. “
Despite the Dreich weather, the atmosphere was electrifying when every block with live music and chants like “System change, not climate change” and “World leader at Cop26 … Your inactivity makes us sick”.
Grainne McGinn, 22, a wheelchair user from Glasgow, attended the youth protests on Friday and Saturday with a sign that read ‘Sustainability requires accessibility’. “Climate change is so important, but the voices of young people, especially disabled young people, are not being heard. We saw on the news how inaccessible Cop was to delegates. This is the daily experience for all disabled people and it is so important that our voice is heard when talking about climate change. I’m here to represent. “
Vegan activists fought strong storms with four giant inflatable animals tied to ropes over their heads or strapped to the ground to make their point. Each symbolized a different livestock problem: a cow for methane, a chicken for Covid and health, a fish for microplastics and a pig for obesity. “The cow in the room is being ignored by this cop,” said Carl Le Blanc of Climate Healers. “Animal husbandry was removed from the agenda and put on the menu.”
Roisin Greaney, 28, a post graduate from Dublin, said: “I’m here today because I would say a small group of people, but in this case it’s a very large group of people who want to keep pressure on the people within the blue zone.
“I’ve seen it in the past, I’ve seen small groups of people come together and scare governments, scare companies and get them to do things. I think this kind of direct action works and it’s amazing to see people from so many different organizations and parts of society. “
There was also despair; Chris Cornroy, 37, who works for Oxfam, said, “The world will likely end in our lifetime, so every difference you can make counts. But I don’t think that will achieve anything if I’m honest. I don’t think anything will make a positive difference today. “
By the afternoon the rain clouds had parted and the sky had started to brighten as crowds of protesters streamed across the expanse of Glasgow Green, still singing, singing and playing music.
The mood was “solemn, positive and expressive,” said Mary Martin of Coatbridge, who had marched from Kelvingrove. “On foot,” she laughed as she shivered against a strong gust of wind. As for the progress of the climate talks, “I am holding my breath.” She is concerned about the lack of inclusiveness in the negotiations, the opposite of her experience on this march, where she notes the relationships between the various groups.
In London, thousands of protesters, including trade unionists, refugee rights groups, students and environmentalists, marched from the Bank of England to Trafalgar Square.
City of London.” src=”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3b20c75cd33f17b2defec14b010fc1686e7a8c6c/0_70_4578_2747/master/4578.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=5a5d392ec207a6722d048846ee21aab2″ height=”2747″ width=”4578″ loading=”lazy” class=”dcr-1989ovb”/>Protesters repeatedly expressed their anger that politicians were not addressing the climate emergency with the necessary urgency. “We don’t have time,†said Paula Somrisa, 41, from Oxford. “It’s great to be able to make statements about ambitions and future developments, but we really have to act now.”
Dawn Fuller, 56, said, “We’re tired of hearing her talk – now we need to see real action.” She said her two adult children were increasingly concerned about the escalating climate emergency. “We saw so much greenwashing at Cop26 … But it has to stop – our children’s future is at stake.”
Many demonstrators called for an urgent reform of the economic system and linked the climate crisis with global inequality and structural racism.
Rebecca Hotchkin, 23, who is studying medicine in London, said global health inequalities are being exacerbated by the climate crisis. “Health justice and climate justice are related. Governments must start by addressing the underlying causes of the various crises we are facing. “
In Glasgow, organizers estimated more than 100,000 people were in attendance, but police were reluctant to give a number about the crowd. In London, they said there were around 10,000 protesters, although organizers estimated the number to be closer to 20,000. There have been more than 300 protests worldwide, including more than 100 in the UK alone.
Nicola Sturgeon told reporters on Friday that she was confident that the climate march in Glasgow was being “adequately” monitored, adding that Iain Livingstone, the Scottish Police Commissioner, spoke with the force’s independent advisory group after the concerns rolled into one open letter.
Deputy Police Chief Gary Ritchie called on protesters to act responsibly and warned people traveling to Glasgow to prepare for delays.
He added: “There will be an increased police presence in Glasgow and the streets, public transport and streets will be significantly busier than would normally be expected on a Saturday in the city.
“If you go to a march, please act responsibly, be respectful and follow the path and instructions of the organizers or police officers.”