Hundreds of striking Bay Area students marched through San Francisco on Friday, opposing those they say are profiting off climate change.
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Youth Vs. Apocalypse, an environmental justice group, organized activists of all ages to march from Embarcadero Plaza through downtown, ending the protest at the immigration building while demanding justice for asylum seekers fleeing climate disasters.
Students from local high schools, middle schools and even elementary schools marched on Friday, as did some teachers. A ninth grade teacher told KCBS Radio it was "an experiential learning moment for everybody."
"As a teacher in the classroom, I never claim to be the expert," she said. "It's always, 'I'm learning along with you.' "
Demonstrators marched outside BlackRock's San Francisco offices on Friday, taking aim at the financial institution's investments in fossil fuels and companies deemed responsible for Amazon deforestation. They also called on the California State Teachers' Retirement System to divest in fossil fuels, and for the California Teachers Association to support the change.
Organizers said these actions are especially urgent, citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report last month that warned the world is running out of time to meaningfully reduce emissions and avoid climate change's most devastating impacts.
Christopher Soriano, a student organizer, said "it's very inspiring and motivating to see our generations taking action for a healthy and sustainable planet."
"I'm passionate about climate justice, and the climate injustice that's happening around the world, because we're fighting for the future of, like, future generations to come," he told KCBS Radio. "And I'm fighting for my life, and the life of my classmates."
Members of 1,000 Grandmothers for Future Generations also marched on Friday. One grandmother said she, too, was inspired by the young advocacy on display, learning "important lessons that we all need to embrace."
"It's the youth that is pushing for a healthy future," she told KCBS Radio. "It's really important that we all stand with them."
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