Sunday 1 March 2020

Greta Thunberg tells climate protesters in Bristol change won't happen overnight

Posted yesterday at 1:03pm


Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has told thousands of climate change activists gathered in pouring rain in England that "change will come".

Key points:

  • Ms Thunberg said politicians and media were ignoring the climate crisis
  • She urged the protesters to be patient, saying change wouldn't happen overnight
  • Police said the march attracted more than 15,000

Thousands of mainly young people joined the 17-year-old for a march through the city of Bristol.
Ms Thunberg told them that: "Nothing is being done to halt this crisis despite all the beautiful words and promises by our elected officials.
"People are already suffering and dying from the consequences of the climate and environmental emergency.
"But still this emergency is being ignored by the politicians, the media and those in power.
"Once again they sweep their mess under the rug, for us, for their children, to clean up for them."
Greta Thunberg wears a yellow raincoat.

Ms Thunberg said it was up to young people to be "the adults in the room" and tackle climate change.
"But we must continue — and we have to be patient and remember that the changes required will not happen overnight.
"But if enough people are pushing for change, then change will come.
"There will be a time when we will look back and ask ourselves what we did right now.
"How do we want to be remembered?"
Ahead of the march, local police had expressed concern that the popularity of the event could lead to risks to protesters.
Greta Thunberg comforts a crying girl has they march behind a large banner during a climate protest.

In the event, the march, which Avon and Somerset Police said attracted more than 15,000 people but which Ms Thunberg said involved "at least 30,000", passed off without incident.
And police were criticised for their warning in the lead-up to the event.
Protest organisers, Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate, said in a tweet that they had "no time for being patronised".
They had arranged for festival barriers, more than 80 stewards and a safe zone for young children.
Hundreds march through the streets of carrying banners and umbrellas.



AP/ABC

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