Hatter says climate strike was one to remember

By MO CRANKER on October 21, 2019.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker

Friday afternoon’s climate strike in Edmonton was an event to remember for Hatter Kaleigh McArthur,

While in Edmonton, McArthur decided to spend the day at the rally that 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg was speaking at. She says it was an experience she definitely won’t forget.

“Both myself and my niece are very passionate about the environment and the impact humans are having on the planet,” she said. “We felt like this was a good opportunity to go and engage in something that interested us – it was a good opportunity to meet people and learn.

“There was a lot of different emotions I felt on Friday – I spent a lot of it in awe.”

Friday’s events lasted between six and seven hours, with thousands coming out to show support for Thunberg and her message about the environment.

“It definitely didn’t feel like six hours – we got lost in time,” said McArthur. “I’ve been to my fair share of rallies and this was definitely one for the books – I think people will look back on this in several years and could see this as a pivotal point for Alberta as a province.

“No matter what side you were on, I think everyone felt something there that people just can’t feel on social media.

“When Greta got up there to speak, everyone was listening. She’s very calm, cool and collected – she never mentioned the election and you could tell that she did her research on Canada.”

While McArthur says she was thrilled to see Thunberg speak, she added she was also happy with how involved Indigenous people were with the event.

“It was amazing and comforting to see how much attention and how much of a voice Canada’s Indigenous got in this,” she said. “Greta gave them a platform where they could be heard in front of millions of people.

“I’m just really happy that Indigenous people got to have their voices heard on Friday.”

Thunberg has received backlash and criticism in recent months from people all over the world – including in Alberta when she announced she would be visiting. The United We Roll convoy made a counter protest Friday, but McArthur says the group wasn’t very visible.

“There were people there with signs shouting opposing views but we all just decided to ignore it,” she said. “I think eventually the opposition realized we weren’t there to fight or argue and that we just wanted to have a peaceful demonstration.

“Every so often you could hear a honk or two off in the distance, but you really couldn’t hear them.”

McArthur says she was happy to see so many Albertans from all walks of life at the rally.

“Honestly, my faith in Alberta was restored,” she said. “Just talking to people and being there was really special.”

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