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See How Youth-Led Protesters Are Challenging Corporations, Adult Leadership on Climate Change

Monica LamStephanie Lister
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Two marchers hold a sign reading, "No intelligent species would destroy their planet" at a march through San Francisco calling for more urgent action on climate change, Sept. 20, 2019. (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

Thousands of Bay Area students ditched school to march through the streets of San Francisco on Friday morning to take part in a global climate strike.

Natali, 10, holds high a sign reading, "Our world is burning before our eyes, so why are you acting like you don't care?" in front of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during a youth-led climate march on Sept. 20, 2019.
Natali, 10, holds high a sign reading, "Our world is burning before our eyes, so why are you acting like you don't care?" in front of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during a youth-led climate march on Sept. 20, 2019. (Stephanie Lilster/KQED)

Their signs, banners and chants were aimed at pressing lawmakers and business leaders to take more responsibility for what is increasingly seen as a worldwide crisis.

Students hold a sign reading, "If you were smarter, I'd be in school" during a climate march on Sept. 20, 2019.
Students hold a sign reading, "If you were smarter, I'd be in school," during a climate march on Sept. 20, 2019. (Adriana Morga/KQED)

Some students held a sign reading, "If you were smarter, I'd still be in school," as a criticism of adults they felt were not doing enough about climate change.

Other students chanted, “We will die of climate change, you will die of old age!”

Thousands march down San Francisco's Market Street to participate in a youth-led global climate strike on Sept. 20, 2019.
Thousands march down San Francisco's Market Street to participate in a youth-led global climate strike on Sept. 20, 2019. (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

The march began in front of the district offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and proceeded down Market Street, making stops in front of different corporate offices, including Bank of America and PG&E.

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In front of Amazon Go's offices, many chanted, "The wrong Amazon is burning!"

Youth stand with indigenous activists in front of the San Francisco offices of BlackRock, Inc., during a youth-led climate march on Sept. 20, 2019.
Youth stand with indigenous activists in front of the San Francisco offices of BlackRock, Inc., during a youth-led climate march on Sept. 20, 2019. (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

Marchers also highlighted the involvement of fossil fuel production companies and stopped in front of the offices of BlackRock, which has invested in oil and coal operations.

Youth stopped at the San Francisco offices of BlackRock, Inc., to write slogans like "You are the problem" in chalk on the sidewalk.
Youth stopped at the San Francisco offices of BlackRock, Inc., to write slogans like "You are the problem" in chalk on the sidewalk. (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

"You are the problem," wrote youth in chalk on the sidewalk in front of the investment firm as uneasy security guards looked on.

An effigy of Shell CEO Ben van Beurden hovers above the crowd during a youth-led climate march on Sept. 20, 2019.
An effigy of Shell CEO Ben van Beurden hovers above the crowd during a youth-led climate march on Sept. 20, 2019. (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

An effigy of Shell CEO Ben van Beurden holding a burning house and a bag of money towered over marchers.

Lis Ana Johansen, 13, of San Francisco, holds a poster she made using a Drake meme to call for more urgent action on climate change during a youth-led march on Sept. 20, 2019.
Lis Ana Johansen, 13, of San Francisco, holds a poster she made using a Drake meme to call for more urgent action on climate change during a youth-led march on Sept. 20, 2019. (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

Even a Drake meme made an appearance. The 13-year-old artist behind the above poster, Lis Ana Johansen, participated in the march with the permission of her school, Creative Arts Charter School. Many schools allowed students to call in absent to participate in Friday's action.

Marchers filled Market Street in San Francisco during a global climate march on Sept. 20, 2019.
Marchers filled Market Street in San Francisco during a global climate march on Sept. 20, 2019. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)

Throughout the protest, marchers flooded Market Street as law enforcement redirected traffic.

Oakland Tech High School students (L-R) Nikko Cabrera, Keeto Gaines, and Mazi Wyatt stand on the Admission Day Monument on Market Street during a youth-led climate march, Sept. 20, 2019. The three said they jumped up on the statue because they felt inspired by the crowd.
Oakland Tech High School students (L-R) Nikko Cabrera, Keeto Gaines, and Mazi Wyatt stand on the Admission Day Monument on Market Street during a youth-led climate march, Sept. 20, 2019. The three said they jumped up on the statue because they felt inspired by the crowd. (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

Along the march route, students from Oakland Tech High School posed with a statue celebrating the day California joined the union. Nikko Cabrera, Keeto Gaines, and Mazi Wyatt said the march inspired them. "I have a lot of friends concerned [with climate change] so it made me feel inspired," said Wyatt.

"I worry for those who are less fortunate and can't protect themselves from climate change," Cabrera added.

Katherine Gale of Berkeley brought her globe with her, which she said she's kept since childhood. "No sense in saving the old fake globe if we can't save the real one," she said.

In Sacramento, a student holds a sign reading, "Found Nemo ... too late," during a global climate strike on Sept. 20, 2019.
In Sacramento, a student holds a sign reading, "Found Nemo ... too late," during a global climate strike on Sept. 20, 2019. (Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)

Concurrent marches took place around the country. At a rally in Sacramento, students held up signs calling attention to the glut of plastic polluting the ocean.

"You are never too small to make a difference" is a quote attributed to Greta Thunberg, who is largely credited with organizing the global climate strike on Sept. 20, 2019.
"You are never too small to make a difference" is a quote attributed to Greta Thunberg, who is largely credited with organizing the global climate strike on Sept. 20, 2019. (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

"You are never too small to make a difference," read a sign quoting Greta Thunberg, a youth climate activist.

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