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PNC youth help organize Climate Strike in Seattle

PNC youth are helping organize and will participate in the global Youth Climate Strike on Friday, Sept. 20.

Youth around the world have been striking for their right to a healthy future. They call others to join them on Friday, Sept. 20

“We will be walking out of our schools, workplaces and homes to join millions of people around the world demanding climate justice and an end to the age of fossil fuels, said youth organizers,” said Grace Lambert, Washington State co-lead, who is helping organize events statewide. 

In Bellingham, Tanner Rapp from the First Congregational UCC is the city lead and has been working to make sure the event runs smoothly.

That day, people around the world will strike from school and jobs for the Global Youth Climate Strike. Most events are being organized primarily by youth with adult support, said Grace of Kirkland UCC. 

Washington Youth Climate Strikes plans events in Seattle, Kirkland, Bellingham, Wenatchee and Olympia. Events in the state are listed at https://strikewithus.org/. 

“While youth organizers invite you all to our events, we also are looking for volunteer peacekeepers and would like pastors to help,” she said.  “Clergy and others interested in helping at events in Seattle, Wenatchee, Bellingham, Olympia or Kirkland may contact me to learn about trainings.”

Grace also asks for help to amplify the event on social media. She has a toolkit for that. 

The Seattle Climate Walkout Event will include three hours of climate justice workshops from 9 a.m. to noon at Cal Anderson Park, followed by a a march to City Hall from noon to 1 p.m., when there will be a rally there.

The UCC held a webinar on the Climate Walkout, “The Climate Strike: Faiths for the Future: A Webinar in Preparation for September 20,” said Meighan Pritchard, pastor, Prospect UCC, Seattle.

The Global Climate Strike is shaping up to be the largest climate mobilization in history. It kicks off a week of global action that will use art, music, stories and nonviolent direct action to disrupt business-as-usual and create the climate justice future we need.

“It is a peaceful, powerful youth-centered mobilization. We are a broad coalition of youth leaders and adult allies all across the Seattle area, and we are demanding climate action at scale with the crisis: no new fossil fuel projects, just and equitable climate solutions to transition to 100 percent renewable energy, and holding those most responsible for the climate crisis accountable,” said Grace.

“Everyone can be an activist! Come to learn, engage, and form real connections to many of the organizations involved with the climate crisis in the Seattle region. We will take over the park with each partner organization in the coalition bringing their skills and voices and contributing in ways that help them shine, and help you learn about their crucial work and powerful stories,” she said.

This is an interactive, playful, festival learning environment with trainings, games, music, art, street theater demos, teach-ins and chances to connect with the movement, said Grace.

Steve directed Kids camps four years in the Central Pacific Conference and has directed Intermediate camps in the PNC for six years.

“I feel revitalized working with children and youth, sharing the message of love, grace and inclusion,” he said. “We need to do all we can to get more children and youth to go to our camps.”

For information, visit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/724142398026618/.

 

Pacific NW United Church News copyright © Fall 2019

 

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