Columbia Students To Walk Out For Climate Change Friday

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - Inspired by 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, students in Columbia High School have planned to walk out to draw attention to the need for action against climate change, according to Interim Principal Dr. Kalisha Morgan.

Morgan sent a letter to the district parents on Wednesday. The move was also confirmed by Lily Forman, of the Columbia High School Students for Social Justice Club.

Columbia High School students of the Students for Justice Club and the GAIA Environmental Club are leading the Climate Strike in Maplewood, demanding action be taken by national and international politicians on this issue, Forman noted.

“We are striking, because there is no point in going to school if the world and its people are dying around us,” said Students for Justice leaders in a letter to CHS Administration.

Students will walk out of their classrooms at 10 a.m. and begin walking towards Maplewood Town Hall for a rally starting at 10:30 a.m., open to anyone and everyone who cares about the cause. The rally will include speeches from a variety of speakers from both towns.

From there, everyone will march back to Ritzer Field, behind Columbia, to continue the strike by calling and emailing representatives, decorating reusable bags, picking up garbage, and more.

This day of action has been organized by the CHS students and leaders that make up the Students for Justice Club and the GAIA Environmental Club, Forman said. The international strike was created by Greta Thunberg and coordinated by The Future Coalition and The Youth Climate Strike Coalition.

This strike represents a teaming up of environmental and social justice groups, as well as people of all ages and backgrounds, to demand the world’s leaders listen to cries for climate justice, Forman said.

The complete letter from Morgan sent to the community is below:

"This Friday, Sept. 20 students around the world will be walking out of their schools as a means of drawing attention to the need for swift action to slow and reverse climate change. These actions were inspired by 16 year old Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist. Ms. Thunberg is in the United States right now meeting with political leaders and she will be leading a Climate Strike in New York City on Friday.

The climate strike at Columbia High School is completely organized and led by students. This is not an officially sanctioned school event and therefore students will not be under the direction of staff. The Maplewood Police Department has been notified so that safety concerns can be addressed and managed.

CHS and classes will continue on their normal schedule. The scheduled walk-out will begin at 10 a.m. Students will walk to town hall where they will hold a rally. Students will then walk back to CHS. Students are expected to be back in class by 11:30 am (5th period). If students participate within this time frame, they will be marked absent from class; however, they will not be penalized for any missed assignments, quizzes or tests. Students must work with the teacher to make-up any missed assignments or assessments.

We are also aware that some students will choose to protest the entire day. Please understand that if students choose to protest the entire day, the policy regarding absences and missed work will be implemented.

We appreciate your understanding as we navigate this balance of respecting students’ desire to make a difference versus our commitment to provide quality educational opportunities to our students and meeting our 180 school-day requirement.

Thank you for your support"

Find out more information about the Columbia High School Climate Strike at @studentsforjustice on Instagram

Find out more information about the national strikes at https://globalclimatestrike.net/.

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