Sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said it best: “Change is coming, whether you like it, or not.” On Friday, students across the globe are mobilizing to become that change.

Thunberg made headlines last summer when she launched a strike in front of the Swedish Parliament House every school day for three weeks to protest her government’s inaction on climate change. She then turned it into a Friday protest—launching the phrase #FridaysForFuture—that has inspired young people all around the globe, as in Belgium, where more than 30,000 students have walked out of class in a series of weekly protests.

We are fed up with being ignored, and fed up with watching adults in positions of power sit idly by while climate change and the combustion of fossil fuels quickly ruin the future of their children, and their children’s children.

The world’s youth are fed up. We are fed up with being ignored, and fed up with watching adults in positions of power sit idly by while climate change and the combustion of fossil fuels quickly ruin the future of their children, and their children’s children. Our mission statement is a call to stand up for our future:

“Our futures are at stake. We call for radical legislative action to combat climate change and its countless detrimental effects on the American people. We are striking for the Green New Deal, a fair and just transition to decarbonize the US economy, and other legislative action that combats the effects of climate change. We stand in solidarity with Greta Thunberg and all youth strikers worldwide as we demand action on this issue.”

In pursuit of this mission, US Youth Climate Strike has orchestrated strikes across more than 40 states to give the climate crisis the global spotlight it demands. Supported by the Sunrise Movement, students from across Pennsylvania and New Jersey will be leaving school Friday to protest in our city as a part of this movement.

We will gather at Love Park from noon to 2 pm, to use our joint statement and voice to emphasize action on the Green New Deal, and the reduction of fossil fuels to meet global standards. During the main rally from, 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm at City Hall, students will be voicing their concerns and demands to legislators through local student speakers and performers.

We encourage any and all students as well as adult allies to support the movement either in the Philadelphia strike, their home strike, or respective school demonstrations. This crisis is our responsibility, and we will not be bystanders to global climate injustice.  

Friday, March 15, 12 pm-5:30 pm, Free, Love Park and City Hall.