Pupils on school strike for the climate
On Friday, hundreds of thousands of people took part in demonstrations and strikes for the climate all over the world. In Sweden, from Kiruna to Malmö, demonstrations and strikes were held in more than 100 locations. The organisers were Greta Thunberg's movement, Fridays for future.
About 90 people went on strike on Friday in central Kristianstad. And at Österänggymnasiet, about 100 students went on strike from a lesson in the morning.
The initiative came from five girls in the life sciences programme.
– We posted on Instagram to try and get as many people as possible to join us. There were about 100-150 people standing outside the school with us for an hour, says Sana al-Ani, Ani, was one of the five.
They got the idea for the school strike three weeks ago.
– Our mentor showed a film on the climate. We got very upset. That’s when we thought of carrying out a school strike, she says.
Both teachers and the principal were against the idea of a school strike. But they have come to understand the purpose of the strike.
– Many teachers were very much against it. They didn't let their students leave the lesson, says Sana.
Every Friday, there is a climate strike under the slogan "Fridays for future" in the centre of Kristianstad.
– Usually, on Fridays, there are maybe ten to fifteen people, but then we’re only standing still in front of City Hall, says Michael Dahlman, one of the organisers.
Has the news about the UN and Greta Thunberg got more people to demonstrate?
– Yes, and then the climate report came out this week. It indicates that sea levels are rising faster. Therefore, it’s very relevant for Kristianstad, which lies so low. We chanted that Kristianstad was in the danger zone when we walked down the streets.