For one week in September, the world seemed united with the goal of making their voices heard by policy makers. In large, loud, thundering crowds, people took to the streets to march and protest at government buildings to officials. San Jose’s strike was set up by the Youth Climate Coalition in Silicon Valley to march on San Jose’s City Hall. What happened on September 20th? Did anyone attend?
Well, I did. Overall, the experience was rife with an energy only a strike or march can bring, the strong sense of together-ness and community that fighting for a common goal brings. Listening to impassioned speeches made by fellow highschool students or chants led by strangers in the crowd? These things were good. But other aspects of the strike? Not so much.
I arrived late, taking public transit--as was suggested by strike organizers--rather than driving, so I was at the mercy of the bus schedule. By the time I was able to get off, I was close enough to sprint and slip into the tail end of the Mothers Out Front (a parent--though primarily mothers, as the name implies--led climate movement of its own) group. The number of groups and organizations in attendance was surprising. Though, for the best, none were corporations, for some of the non-climate related groups it seemed as if attendance to the event was an advertising ploy. Even if their products were intended to be green, the usage of the strike for profit felt nigh-scummy.
The Silicon Valley Climate Strike’s official website lists ten different organizations that served as sponsors and attendees to the event, as well as many councilmembers who spread awareness of the strike. Awareness is a key issue in looking back on the strike, because it seemed very few were “in the know” about the event at all. I spent most of my Friday and Thursday prior to the event telling people to come to the strike, and not one person I spoke to was aware there was an event going on. Others asked what the purpose of such an event was, or why it mattered, or for any basic information on the climate strike at all.
The fact that these questions arose is a problem in itself. It’s difficult to get those who are uninterested to be enthusiastic about coming to an event that boils down to marching and standing in the sun for a cause. However, some of the people I spoke to were self-proclaimed proponents of a greener future. People who claimed to care and support these movements, yet they had no clue what was happening on a global scale.
An argument could be made that if they truly cared, they would seek these out themselves, but that they hadn’t heard a single thing does still call into question the “marketing” of the strike. There were hardly any announcements about it, or notices outside of circles that would know regardless. For the strike to make the impact it wants, it would seem a given that they “target” people who would be unaware but interested. As far as I can tell, the strike only has a Twitter account in terms of social media, and that is not a very promising outlook.
People who did come to the strike, though, were armed with plastic bottles and disposable drink containers. I don’t think it needs to be explained why that sends a confusing, almost hypocritical, message. I was unable to stay long enough to see the crowd dissipates, but it wouldn’t have been surprising to see litter left by members of the environmental strike.
Politicians came to support the strike can be called into question, as well. Someone standing before me in the crowd put it best when they muttered, “He’s just using this to advertise his campaign.”, after a speech by one of the council members who attended the strike. Looking back at his speech? He had been. The majority of the politicians present had the same message: I am amazed to see your passion. Be sure to contact your representatives. The future needs to be greener.
These are all true and important sentiments, but it was disappointing that none had more to say. As movement founder Greta Thunberg said, “Please save your praise, we don’t want it. Don’t invite us here to tell us how inspiring we are without doing anything about it. It doesn’t lead to anything.” Mayor Pete, as he introduced himself, at least discussed some of the steps San Jose is taking to move towards lower consumption. These choices made by politicians are not the sort that can be fixed by the organizers themselves, but perhaps for the sake of the event, not including campaign bids could be beneficial. The strike, after all, should not be advertising grounds for anyone. Even if they’re on the same team.
As of October 4, another impromptu large-scale strike has been held by Greta Thunberg. The worldwide climate strike is clearly not over, even if the designated dates have passed, and it will not end until significant action is taken. Despite its faults, the Worldwide Strike succeeded in pressuring lawmakers, in calling even more attention to how much people are willing to fight for this issue. In California, similar protests and events at official buildings are planned nearly every week. The strike’s importance is in showing lawmakers that citizens care about these issues, and with the amount of protests and supporters it should be clear by now that they do. The only question is, when the big next strike rolls around, will San Jose’s local Coalition take significant steps to improve on their mission and make an even bigger impact?
Well, I did. Overall, the experience was rife with an energy only a strike or march can bring, the strong sense of together-ness and community that fighting for a common goal brings. Listening to impassioned speeches made by fellow highschool students or chants led by strangers in the crowd? These things were good. But other aspects of the strike? Not so much.
I arrived late, taking public transit--as was suggested by strike organizers--rather than driving, so I was at the mercy of the bus schedule. By the time I was able to get off, I was close enough to sprint and slip into the tail end of the Mothers Out Front (a parent--though primarily mothers, as the name implies--led climate movement of its own) group. The number of groups and organizations in attendance was surprising. Though, for the best, none were corporations, for some of the non-climate related groups it seemed as if attendance to the event was an advertising ploy. Even if their products were intended to be green, the usage of the strike for profit felt nigh-scummy.
The Silicon Valley Climate Strike’s official website lists ten different organizations that served as sponsors and attendees to the event, as well as many councilmembers who spread awareness of the strike. Awareness is a key issue in looking back on the strike, because it seemed very few were “in the know” about the event at all. I spent most of my Friday and Thursday prior to the event telling people to come to the strike, and not one person I spoke to was aware there was an event going on. Others asked what the purpose of such an event was, or why it mattered, or for any basic information on the climate strike at all.
The fact that these questions arose is a problem in itself. It’s difficult to get those who are uninterested to be enthusiastic about coming to an event that boils down to marching and standing in the sun for a cause. However, some of the people I spoke to were self-proclaimed proponents of a greener future. People who claimed to care and support these movements, yet they had no clue what was happening on a global scale.
An argument could be made that if they truly cared, they would seek these out themselves, but that they hadn’t heard a single thing does still call into question the “marketing” of the strike. There were hardly any announcements about it, or notices outside of circles that would know regardless. For the strike to make the impact it wants, it would seem a given that they “target” people who would be unaware but interested. As far as I can tell, the strike only has a Twitter account in terms of social media, and that is not a very promising outlook.
People who did come to the strike, though, were armed with plastic bottles and disposable drink containers. I don’t think it needs to be explained why that sends a confusing, almost hypocritical, message. I was unable to stay long enough to see the crowd dissipates, but it wouldn’t have been surprising to see litter left by members of the environmental strike.
Politicians came to support the strike can be called into question, as well. Someone standing before me in the crowd put it best when they muttered, “He’s just using this to advertise his campaign.”, after a speech by one of the council members who attended the strike. Looking back at his speech? He had been. The majority of the politicians present had the same message: I am amazed to see your passion. Be sure to contact your representatives. The future needs to be greener.
These are all true and important sentiments, but it was disappointing that none had more to say. As movement founder Greta Thunberg said, “Please save your praise, we don’t want it. Don’t invite us here to tell us how inspiring we are without doing anything about it. It doesn’t lead to anything.” Mayor Pete, as he introduced himself, at least discussed some of the steps San Jose is taking to move towards lower consumption. These choices made by politicians are not the sort that can be fixed by the organizers themselves, but perhaps for the sake of the event, not including campaign bids could be beneficial. The strike, after all, should not be advertising grounds for anyone. Even if they’re on the same team.
As of October 4, another impromptu large-scale strike has been held by Greta Thunberg. The worldwide climate strike is clearly not over, even if the designated dates have passed, and it will not end until significant action is taken. Despite its faults, the Worldwide Strike succeeded in pressuring lawmakers, in calling even more attention to how much people are willing to fight for this issue. In California, similar protests and events at official buildings are planned nearly every week. The strike’s importance is in showing lawmakers that citizens care about these issues, and with the amount of protests and supporters it should be clear by now that they do. The only question is, when the big next strike rolls around, will San Jose’s local Coalition take significant steps to improve on their mission and make an even bigger impact?