Global Student Strike for Climate
Date/Time
Date(s) - 15/03/2019
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location
Coventry Council House
Categories
Background to the Strike for Climate
UK Student Climate Network (UKSCN) are calling on students to take part in a global student strike on Friday 15 March because they feel that, facing a lethal ecological crisis, we as a generation must take direct action where the older generation has failed. As Greta Thunberg said, “You don’t have to school strike, it’s your own choice. But why should we be studying for a future that soon may be no more?”.
UKSCN feel that protesting and striking is our best way to force the government to take action.
You can click here for a further detailed list of 10 reasons we need to fight for Climate Justice.
What are the rules about taking a day off school?
According to the Department for Education, children are normally only authorised to take days off school for medical reasons or “exceptional circumstances”. However a letter to schools written by protesters’ parents might justify their day of strike. The letter would say something like
Having only 12 years left to cut CO2 emissions by 50 per cent, as per the latest UN IPCC report, is pretty dire and exceptional circumstances to find ourselves in. And it is in that light that I’m giving my child permission to go on strike on [day].
In reality, it will be down to individual schools to decide on what, if anything, happens to protesters, with some strikers saying they’ve had mixed messages. Also parents need to be aware that legally they probably need to supervise their children during the strike and if anything happens they might potentially be held liable for child neglect.
Climate Emergency Forum
The United Nations Association Coventry Branch are organising a Climate Emergency Forum from 1 to 3 pm on 15 March in Coventry Council House where students can discuss their response to climate change with politicians and others.
To book a place or watch live on the day see http://cef.unacov.uk