Students and supporters from the full range of Frome’s schools joined the international schools strike for climate, which was held on 15th March.
Approximately 150 people took part in Frome, while others travelled to Bath or Bristol. They joined more than 1.6 million people, striking in 2,083 places in 125 countries, demanding urgent action for climate justice.
Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish girl, and nominee for the Nobel peace prize, inspired this fast-growing global movement of school children.
Organisers said, “The event in Frome had been planned to start with a banner-making workshop at the town hall. But at the 11th hour, Frome Town Council withdrew the booking. Strikers spoke of disappointment that a council that has declared a climate emergency, succumbed to lobbying by school governors.”
Ivan, an 11-year-old pupil from Oakfield School said, “When I heard this comment, I wanted to lock their words in the national archive, for future generations to see how people tried to ruin our chance of a future while there was still a chance of change.”
Speaking in Sweden after the international strike, Greta said, “The rest of the world must strongly support those children who are not allowed to protest… since it’s our future, we must let no-one tell us what to do when we are trying to save it.” She warns people who try to stop this movement that they will “be remembered as some of the worst villains in human history”.
Frome’s group continued, “Despite last-minute hurdles, fabulous banners and placards were created, (many thanks to The Hubnub centre for the use of their hall) and carried proudly to the market cross where young people and adults shared their frustrations and ideas about what needs to be done. Frome college students held a huge yellow banner saying “If you won’t act like adults, we will”. Students then walked to the Town Hall and continued the strike.”
Councillor Macfadyen and resilience officer Anna Francis informed the gathered strikers that the council is offering support to schools and householders to reduce carbon emissions. One striker explained, “This is fantastic, but the strike is about building a global movement to address the global climate emergency, one town’s energy reduction is not enough.”
The strikers continued, “Finally, a group of college students walked to Frome Community College and asked a senior member of staff, what the college is doing for the environment. Their reply was, ‘we use recycled paper’ but the future depends on urgent action and sadly recycled paper isn’t enough.
“Fridays4futurefrome are helping raise awareness about climate change and building a movement for urgent change.
“Future strike dates will be posted on #youth-strike4climate and Instagram and Facebook: Fridays4futureFrome. The next UK date April 12th. Strikers will always meet at 11 at the market cross on a strike day.”
For information on town council’s work to reach zero carbon in Frome by 2030 see: www.frometowncouncil .gov.uk/your-community/
