Citizens of Yakima Announce Plans to Join Global Climate Strike on September 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Contact: Coleen Anderson | coleena@centurylink.net | 360-731-4555
Citizens of Yakima Announce Plans to Join Global Climate Strike on September 20
-Activists of All Ages, Labor Groups, Faith Leaders, Businesses and More Join Youth-Led Climate Strikes in Intergenerational Demand for Climate Action-
On Friday, September 20, starting at 11:30 am young people and adults committed to saving our atmosphere and oceans will gather at Millennium Plaza, 22 South Third Street in downtown Yakima, WA. At noon they will start a sidewalk march from Millennium Plaza, head down Yakima Avenue and turn up 2nd Avenue and stop at Performance Park. They will march and raise their voices in an effort to increase awareness of the climate emergency and to inspire unity in the fight to limit global climate change. There will be music, educational information, and networking opportunities, and even a voter registration table. Speakers will include Carol Mills, Yakima small business owner, Dr. Sara Cate, family practitioner, Felipe Rodriguez-Flores, community activist, and Emily Washines, member of the Yakama Nation.
“Young people are uniting around September 20 in a way we’ve never seen before,” said Katie Eder, Executive Director of Future Coalition. “We understand this is a pivotal crossroads, and that we must put our differences aside to come together. This is a fight for our futures, and time is running out.”
Greta Thunberg, the young environmental activist who has inspired millions across the globe, challenged the world when she said: “Now we all have a choice. We can create transformational action that will safeguard the living conditions for future generations. Or we can continue with our business as usual and fail. That is up to you and me.”
The Global Climate Strike is set three days before the United Nations Climate Summit where Greta Thunberg will speak and will be followed by a “Week of Action.” to continue to educate people about climate change. Citizens will not have a choice about their future if they are not informed - so we march to pique their curiosity and instill a desire to learn more. Since climate change is universal and all people will need to unite behind this effort, this march in Yakima will be a non-partisan, peaceful sidewalk. Participants are nevertheless passionate about the need to address the causes of global warming and assure the continuation of life on Earth.
The climate crisis has escalated to a frightening degree and time is running out. Storms are more destructive than ever, wildfires are more frequent and burn larger, Arctic ice is melting at an alarming rate, glaciers are disappearing, the heat absorbed by oceans is disrupting the marine food chain, coral reefs are in decline, the oceans are acidifying and losing oxygen, deadly heat waves are more frequent, our own drinking water and food supplies are threatened, the last four years were the hottest on record, and the prognosis is for things to get much worse. For this reason local communities throughout the planet are organizing to build coalitions for governmental and organizational change. This effort will require an unprecedented effort from all sectors of society. We are in a race – a race we must win.
This action expects to raise support for the youth movement, show leaders in government and business that bold action is needed, raise awareness and provide information people can share, bring hope to replace despair, build coalitions to work together for climate justice, begin mitigation and adaptation programs immediately, and rediscover our love and respect for the natural world.
QUOTE SHEET
“If humanity hopes to harness climate change, it will require a great deal of thought and energy. We all need to put our differences aside and unite behind the science in order to develop solutions for mitigating the harmful effects of greenhouse gases and adapting to a hotter and more hostile climate,” Coleen Anderson, climate activist and organizer, Global Climate Strike Yakima
“Climate breakdown is one of the greatest human rights issues we face. Fighting climate breakdown is about much more than emissions and scientific metrics it’s about fighting for a just and sustainable world that works for all of us. We need to start by phasing out fossil fuels, building real and long lasting solutions and prioritizing the communities at the frontline of the climate crisis,” May Boeve, Executive Director, 350.org.
“I haven't paid much attention to most of the planet's gifts, having been busy with other concerns. Now since studying climate change I can think of nothing else. I appreciate the earth's beauty and life-giving resources more now that we will lose them if people don't pitch in to save them,” Charley Mulvey, Yakima resident and new climate activist
Jesus Villalba Gastelum, Age 16, Earth Uprising LA City Coordinator/ Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles Organizer, said: “I live in Los Angeles, a diverse city of many roots, including Indigenous, Mexican, Spanish, American, and Tongva. We are organizing the LA Youth Climate Strike from a place of love, hope, and resolve. We are taking to the streets this September 20th in order to claim the future that is rightfully ours. While this mobilization is youth led, we welcome people of all generations to join us in kicking off LA’s week of action. Our march is calling out inaction on the climate crisis, and stands in support of refugee rights, human rights, and dignity for all.”
Katie Eder, executive director of Future Coalition said, “On September 20th the voices of thousands of young people from more than 400 locations across America will be heard as we strike for our future. Our message will be clear — we must act now to avoid the worst effects of climate change because all of our lives depend upon it. We are the new face of the climate revolution and we demand just and equitable climate action.”
“We’re making a stand that we’re still here. The Gitche Gami is really important to the people of Minnesota, and we want to honor that through a peaceful prayer action on September 28th. Our goal is to teach people that treaties are a two-party agreement — Native people are not the only ones responsible for maintaining the treaties, but that we’re all responsible and we need to move in solidarity. We all need the water, and we all need to do this together,” said Nancy, MN 350, Minnesota Chippewa / Leech Lake, participating in a rally and gathering to stop Line 3 in Minnesota.
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