An estimated 170,000 people – most of them school students – have defied Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters by marching in climate change strikes nationwide.
More than 40 events are being held across the country, as part of an international movement sparked by teen activist Greta Thunberg. In Wellington, protesters poured into Parliament grounds at midday – the group is one of the biggest to mobilise in front of Parliament in many years.
The gathering is said to be the largest since the foreshore and seabed protests in 2004. The organizers of today’s climate strike claim 170,000 people have participated in demonstrations nationwide.
Armed with placards and chants, the group of mainly students called on the Government to fight climate change. There were at least 5000 “strikers” massing outside Parliament – so many in fact that they poured out on to the nearby streets.
The size of the gatherings across the country have drawn the attention of Thunberg, who has been tweeting about them. The mass strike took place despite warnings not to miss school by Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters.
Organisers confirm well over 40’000 in Wellington, NZ. #ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture https://t.co/BDcU4HVJ8J
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 27, 2019
Source: Nz herald
Featured Image: Climate change march. Photo / Nz herald
