On September 15th - 17th this year, there were over 650 climate rallies held around the world as people demanded an end to fossil fuels that was #Fast Fair Forever.
For Our Kids teams stepped up across Canada taking on roles of leadership, support and participation. It all mattered, and For Our Kids members made sure that the voice of parents was heard in the diverse chores of voices calling for a better world.
In Ottawa, the For Our Kids team gathered on Parliament Hill to listen to speeches calling for stronger action from the government.
In Toronto, the For Our Kids team organized a family zone, offering face painting, poster making, bubbles and other activities for kids. They joined the march and led a song during the main speeches.
Toronto team members commented: "Toronto's March to End Fossil Fuels was a truly intergenerational effort involving seniors from Seniors for Climate Action Now, youth from Fridays for Future, and parents and adult allies from For Our Kids Toronto - and many other organizations too. That spirit of solidarity across the generations - as well as across different struggles for justice - made this a truly special event. And the kids and family area, with activities for the youngest in the crowd, meant that parents could engage with the rally and kids could have fun. In its way, this area was a joyful exercise in collective care and a reminder that collective care is integral to the ongoing work of building a movement for climate justice."
For Our Kids Vancouver and Burnaby teams volunteered and took on lead roles in the coalition that organized the rally in Vancouver. The rally was a huge success with 5000 people coming out for an afternoon that felt safe, welcoming and hopeful.
Credit: Amy Chui Photography
For Our Kids Burnaby hosted a kids tent, providing snacks, water and activities for families. Member Kate McMahon noted “the event was energizing; the kids area was buzzing the whole time with kids and parents, all excited to be part of such a large, powerful and meaningful event.”
Two days later in Calgary, For Our Kids Alberta team members joined a march in protest of the World Petroleum Congress 2023. The team commented on the strength of the rally along the poignancy of marching while oil and gas executives watched them from an overhead pass.
And weeks later, members for For Our Kids Montreal supported the manifestation for climate rage, organized by students and other local climate groups. Team member Alayne Moody was featured on the CBC coverage of the manifestation.
Outside of Canada, we loved seeing the photos of 75,000 people march in New York that weekend. Climate Families NYC and Our Kids Climate took part with a dinosaur themed family-friendly section of the march, with 400 families out in support. You can see some of their photos here. There were also parent-led groups taking action as part of the Mothers' Rebellion movement and you can check out photos of protests across the world here.
Thanks to everyone who took part in climate action in September - and for speaking up for our kids.
