For immediate release -April 23, 2019
GUELPH - High school students will walkout out of class at 1 pm on Friday, May 3rd, 2019 and will sit at City Hall to demand that city council and the Mayor declare a state of municipal climate emergency.
Youth around the world are demanding that climate action is taken on a global scale, and change starts at the local level. The IPCC report has announced that we have only 12 short years to act now before we enter irreversible environmental damage. In light of our current state, the youth of Guelph are demanding change from our municipal government. The youth of Guelph are demanding that this action starts at the local level.
On Friday, May 3rd students from Guelph High Schools including (but not limited to) GCVI, John F Ross, Centennial, St. James, Lourdes, and Bishop Mac will be walking out of their classrooms at 1pm and will be gathering at City Hall until 3 or 4pm.
At 1pm, students from each school will walk out of their classrooms and move as a mass to Guelph City Hall (1 Carden Street) arriving between 1:30-2pm. Once all schools are gathered at City Hall, students will sit down in silent protest, occupying the space. There will be a period of time allotted for speakers to share their thoughts, there will be a petition to sign. Community members are invited to meet students at City Hall at around 1:30pm.
Mayor Cam Guthrie has notified the group that he will not be in attendance of the sit down. All city councillors are invited to attend. The “walkout, sit down” movement leaders invite all high school students, community members, organizations, and especially all city councillors to attend the event.
Students will be stating their list of climate action demands to ensure that the declaration of climate emergency is not just symbolic, but requires immediate and significant action.This matter is urgent. This is our future. We should all be in agreement about this larger issue.
Spokespeople and walkout leaders will be wearing green armbands. We ask that you specifically speak to these student leaders on the day of the event if you choose to cover the walkout and/or interview a participant.
Before Attending: Please Read Website
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