On Friday, September 23rd, members of CAFES joined hundreds of people at Ottawa’s Global Climate Strike to demand meaningful climate action from multiple levels of government. The event began at Confederation Park where protesters gathered with their creative banners and signs, including signs offered up by march-organizers Fridays for Future Ottawa.
We were delighted to hear from a variety of speakers including Robin Brown from 613-819 Black Hub, Alex Silas from PSAC, and Carolyn Ewers from Save Hunt Club Forest, as well as musicians like Paco Dvoi and the Raging Grannies! Then XR started the march off with their "Disobedience" dance and we were on our way to Parliament.
Members of the crowd led chants as we marched to Parliament including “What do we want?” “Climate Justice?” “When do we want it?” “Now!” And “Keep it in the ground, keep it in the ground!”
Once we arrived at Parliament Claudette Commanda, Algonquin Elder and newly appointed Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, gave an amazing speech to open the speeches and music on the Hill. [LINK]. At Parliament Hill we heard from even more musicians and speakers, including CAFES Executive Director Angela Keller-Herzong, who called for a link between political leadership that is needed for climate action and the upcoming municipal election.
Other speakers included members of the Upstanders Academy, Kayoki Whiteduck and musicians included Christophe Elie and Chris White.
It was an invigorating event after 2 years of smaller climate rallies in Ottawa due to COVID-19. The next day the climate strike was covered in the Ottawa Citizen!
You can find more information including the detailed program and photos at Fridays for Future Ottawa’s website. Stay tuned for more climate events to come!
