For Immediate Release, September 20, 2019
Contact: Julia Williams, (970) 948-1439, outreach@350colorado.org
Denver Climate Strike Draws 7,500 People Demanding Bold Climate Action
Climate Strikers Take Over Downtown Denver with Protest & Light Projection on Capitol Building
DENVER – Organizers of today’s climate strike in Denver estimate that more than 7,500 people left school, workplaces and homes to demand bold climate action and an end to the age of fossil fuel fuels on the steps of the State Capitol. Today’s strike will be followed up with a light projection on the Capitol building tonight at 7:45 p.m. with the text “Climate Action Now – No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure.”
“Today, Colorado saw youth strength at full force! We came together as one united voice to demand action to fight the climate crisis, and stand up to corruption! Today, Colorado got to see what we are made of, and we are just getting started” said Michele Weindling and Nick Tuta of the Sunrise Movement.
“This was the most beautiful unification of the human telos I have ever experienced. Watching this develop from a few beautiful people, to 5,000 was such an empowering experience. I think the day went unbelievably well, and am excited for what the future holds for all of us,” said Liam Grove, 16, Denver.
Strikes took place in over 30 Colorado cities and towns, drawing hundreds more participants at events in Carbondale, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Grand Junction and Durango. Statewide the demands to Colorado leaders were clear, an end all fossil fuel expansion, a rapid and equitable transition to 100% renewable energy, and for fossil fuel companies to be held responsible for the damage they have caused. During the Denver strike, youth organizers submitted their demands to Gov. Jared Polis and gathered signatures on a petition supporting the calls for climate action.
Faith leaders, educators, labor, elected officials, and activists joined youth leaders for the morning march from Union Station to the Capitol. Indigenous leaders led the march with song and prayer. Marchers sported signs, chants, and song, as businesses including Patagonia and Lush closed their doors to join. Pictures from the events are available here for media use.
“Today’s strikes were only the beginning, for the next nine days hundreds will join escalated actions across the state. This week is not just about one moment, it is about building momentum to create an unstoppable movement,” said Julia Williams of 350 Colorado.
The Denver strike kicks off a week of events (Sept. 21-29) as part of the Global Climate Strike & Week of Actions. The week features daily actions including mass marches and rallies, teach-ins, light projections, and nonviolent direct action. During the week of action, participants will come together to halt fossil fuel projects; strengthening multi-generational, multiracial, movements fighting for justice to stop the bad and build the new. Information about the week’s events can be found here; https://climatestrikeactionweek.co/events/
The weeklong movement surrounds the UN Climate Summit being held on September 23 in New York, which aims to meet the climate challenge by accelerating actions to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The Colorado strikes are a part of more than 5,000 strikes in over 150 countries, and the movement is set to be the largest climate mobilization in history.
“The sheer amount of participation today is a testament to the fear and concern of Coloradans statewide about the climate crisis. Many students received unexcused absences from school to participate in the strike so they could demand that Colorado leaders, including Governor Jared Polis take action on climate,” said Jan Rose of Denver/Boulder Climate Reality Project.
The Sept. 20 Climate Strike is supported by:
SEIU – 105
11th Hour Calling
350 Colorado
500 Women Scientists
Aspen Snowmass
Be the Change USA
Boulder CAN
Boulder.Earth
Boundless in Motion and Boulder Ecodharma Sangha
Catholic Network US
Center for Biological Diversity
Clean Energy Action
Climate Courage, LLC
Climate Reality Project
Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate
Colorado Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
Colorado Renewable Energy Society
Colorado Rising
Denver Metro Sierra Club
Earth Focus Group
Earth Guardians – Boulder & CO Climate Strikes
Eco-Justice Ministries
Environment Colorado
Erie Protectors
Extinction Rebellion Denver
Extinction Rebellion Fort Collins
Food & Water Watch
Fort Collins Sustainability Group
Global Greengrants Fund Inc
Greenfaith
Greenpeace
Indivisible Denver
International Indigenous Youth Council – Denver
Keep Colorado Green
Lookout Alliance
Moms Clean Air Force
Mothers Out Front- Colorado
North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE)
Patagonia – Denver & Boulder Stores
Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission
Protect Our Winters
Renewables Now Loveland
Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center
Sunrise – Boulder/Denver
Sunrise – Colorado Springs
The Climate Mobilization
The Wilderness Society
Wall of Women Colorado
What the Frack? Arapahoe
WildEarth Guardians
Wind & Solar Denver
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Greeley Chapter
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