Montrealers march for climate justice

Friday marks a day of action for climate justice in Montreal and several cities across Quebec.

130,000 students and 14,000 Quebec workers voted in favour of a strike to mobilize against the climate crisis.

“We should try to add more pressure,” said student Delice Betukumesu. “We’re not talking about the environment of the elections. We need to have concrete plans. We’re tired of promises.”

 

The Montreal event is a demonstration and a march – happening at foot of the George-Étienne Cartier monument – and it’s part of the global Fridays for Future movement launched by activist Greta Thunberg.

Thunberg visited Montreal during the march in 2019, where half a million people walked for climate action.

“The same way in 2019, for the first march, people still care,” said Betukumesu. “People still want change. People are still upset and are unsatisfied with what’s happening with the government at the moment.”

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Friday’s event is expected to be the biggest strike since Thunberg’s visit.

Demonstrators are asking the government to abandon fossil fuels by 2030, in terms of production, processing and export or import.

They also call for “massively taxing wealth” and reinvesting in the social safety net to ensure decent living conditions for all, as the population deals with rising inflation and the housing crisis.

#WATCH: Thousands of students are getting set to match for action on climate change. They’re demanding the government make changes including getting rid of fossil fuels by 2030. Many students here say they want a future for their children.

READ: https://t.co/8gYqqxTI2w pic.twitter.com/TbHl8CRQmq

— Alyssia (@rubertuccinews) September 23, 2022

A delegation of Francois Legault’s CAQ candidates showed up to the march, to the dismay of some protesters, telling them they’re not welcome.

“I think we are legitimate to be here and we want to to do more for the for coming years,” Charette said.

For security reasons, the CAQ candidates left the march before it began. They were surrounded by police protection from start to finish.

“Benoit Charette comes, he doesn’t speak to us,” said student Amélie Beaulé. “I’m not a dangerous person. I’m just here to ask to have a good future and to not use the climate justice as a key to have more power for the election.”

“I feel like nothing’s really being done a lot for climate change lately,” said student Brianna Manganiello. “It’s the first time I’ve heard of a protest, I’ve never gone to one before.”

“Most students think we just have a day off instead of it being a strike,” said student Ryan Bellot. “I think that me being here with my friends and everything just kind of helps.”

“People tend to forget from day to day lives that our planet is in danger,” said Aminata Soumah. “So walks like this are a reminder to people that we still have to continue our efforts.”

“My message for the politicians would be to open your heart,” said student Gordon Hewer, “Please open your heart and realize that you are the ones who are going to make the greatest changes for us.”

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