Written by Olivia Laurel Poole, Photos by Jordan Vescio, video by Kylie Procita and Jordan Vescio
Saturday, Sept. 21, the town of Savannah experienced a monumental display of protest to oppose environmental devastation. Upon walking towards the protest, a small grouping of children played in the grass, accompanying their conflicting parents who viciously scribbled on cardboard statements of protest such as, “I don’t want your hope, I want your panic” and “There is no Planet B.” In this vast mix of generations, one young woman held up a freshly painted sign saying, “You’ll die of old age, we’ll die of climate change.”
Many protesters chose to attend the march for a specific reason. “We are here to represent that climate change is happening, whether people deny it or not,” said high school student Ana Heartly. Others wanted their same childhood experiences to be possible for future generations. “I’m concerned about what 10 years down the road will look like for nature, our economy and our youth,” said Noelle Greene, a mother of two. “[I hope for] a change in the seasons and the ability for my kids to go to the zoo and see the same animals in person that I saw when I was growing up.”
Within the group of people chanting “the revolution is the resolution,” there were also those who felt less confident in the protests. Some protesters believe that climate change is humanity’s big test for itself. “It is a common misconception that each individual can have a colossal effect on saving this world. We are all slaves to corporate business, so if you really want to make a difference, we have to decide who runs our country. If lobbies have the power, protesting will never be enough,” said SCAD architecture major Andrew White. “Life is always going to find a place on earth, but humanity may not always have one. We are the end-user of this cycle.”
Once the march came to a close, it became transparent that regardless of individual beliefs, the message behind the rally was clear. Protesters emphasized the importance of exploring sustainable practices so current and future generations can still play in the grass, experience every season and preserve all the other natural wonders this world has to lend.
To learn more about the Global Climate Strike or become involved visit their website.
