Youth Climate Strike: Everything You Need to Know

Getty Images: Maja Hitij / Staff

Inspired by 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, teen activists in the US have planned the Youth Climate Strike where, on Friday, September 20, they’ll be joining hundreds of thousands of students and adults in 150 other countries to walk out of school and demand climate action.

Tomorrow might be the largest day of climate mobilization in US and global history, and it’s being led by young people. Our generation isn’t waiting for adults -- we’re making change happen on our own.

Thinking about striking? Here’s all the info you need about your rights when demonstrating during school hours and how to join the closest strike to you.

What's Happening

On September 20, 2019, just days before the UN Summit on Climate Change, students from around the world will strike in solidarity to demand action to save their future. Youth-led organizations from across the world are participating, and in the US, they're united under the Youth Climate Strike Coalition, coordinated by 19-year-old Katie Eder and the Future Coalition.

Check out the full demands of the strikes and find your closest strike.

Know Your Rights

If you’re worried about getting in trouble, that makes sense. The good news is, you have rights when it comes to the strike, and knowing them will help you make smart, empowered decisions on September 20.

If you’re participating in the strike, your school is not allowed to punish you more severely than they would for an unexcused absence. For instance, they cannot lock you out of school if they would not do the same for any typical unexcused absence.

If you already have unexcused absences on your record: Another unexcused absence (from striking) could make you a “truant” student, which constitutes more severe punishments (anything from suspension to Saturday school, etc.).

If you go to a private school: Private school students have little to no rights when at school. You are technically required to follow school policies and if you join the strike, you could face any range of punishments set by the school. Read more at CNN.

At the strike, you are permitted to:

• March in the streets at a legally permitted event.
• Record or photograph anything that is in plain view. Police may not confiscate, view, or delete your footage without a warrant.

Take Action

September 20 might be the biggest environmental protest in history, and it’s being led by young people. Our generation isn’t waiting for adults -- we’re making change happen on our own.

• Find your closest strike and show up wearing green to demand change from elected officials.
• Then text CLIMATE to 38383 to learn more about how you can keep the momentum going past Friday’s strikes.

Let’s Do This.