INSIDER SUMMER 2019 | Page 20

Insider Environment ‘We need to stand up for ourselves’ By Etholle Davies It seems Greta Thunberg’s influence has reached all the way to our very own Colchester. At the end of May, on my usual walk to college, through Castle Park, I came across some young indi- viduals protesting in an attempt to save our planet from climate change. I was immediately intrigued to ask about what drew them to protest. To me it was amazing that children were willing to put themselves out there, in a very public space, for something they feel strongly about. They were all more than willing answer some ques- tions, regarding their actions and reasoning behind it. As well as pose for some photos displaying their creative signs! The young environmentalists on Friday the 24th May. One girl told me that, ‘We feel like we need to stand up for ourselves and actually do something about it!’ Liz, 14, wanted to raise awareness on the issue and told me that she thought that small things like using less plastic and fossil fuels can make a big dif- ference. When asked about which party they feel like they will vote for they all passionately voted green, as they said that it is a party that openly cares about this issue. From passionate teenagers holding signs, to slightly more drastic demonstrations, Colchester has had it all! Early this June, activists from Extinction Rebel- lion occupied Lion Walk Shopping Centre for nearly an hour to highlight the fashion industry’s impact on the world’s ecology and climate. Extinction Rebellion is an international move- ment that staged many protests across the world and has gained a growing presence in Colchester recently. Protesters ‘Die Down’ outside Primark– June 2nd The College magazine online: sixthformmag.blogspot.co.uk