I emerged this
lunchtime from my first dentist’s appointment in twenty years to find a mass
demonstration, consisting largely of people who hadn’t been born when I had my
last appointment – these were striking
school students protesting the climate crisis which threatens the future of our
planet.
The
demonstration had all the verve and enthusiasm of young people engaged in the
liberating experience of their first political protest. The demonstration was
awash with homemade placards (my favourite – “Keep Planet Earth clean – it’s
not Uranus” – was one of many imaginative and thoughtful creations).
The spirit of
transgression which striking from school – as condemned
by the Prime Minister – engendered was expressed in an occasional departure
from chanting about climate justice. From time to time hundreds of children and
young people chanted the name of the Prime Minister, preceded by a verb which I
wouldn’t want to put on this blog (but which rhymes with “duck”).
The hundreds of
young people marched – rather too fast in the opinion of this fiftysomething –
to the Level, a space where for generations working class Brightonians have
gathered in support of radical causes (I remember protesting there against the
Falklands War when I was the age of many of today’s protestors). Today a new
generation took possession of our public space, in defence of their future and
our planet.
Labour Party
members, activists, representatives and officials need to be unequivocal in our
support for the splendid action taken today by young people in Brighton and up
and down the country. Capitalism is bringing our world to the brink of
destruction, and the young people who have the largest stake in the future are
absolutely right to take radical, militant action to put pressure on
Governments to act.
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