URGENT UPDATE: Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Glasgow today, October 14, 2023, marking the city’s largest climate rally since COP26 four years ago. The protest coincides with COP30 currently taking place in Brazil, drawing attention to the escalating climate crisis and demanding immediate action.
The march, organized by Friends of the Earth Scotland, saw participants gather at Glasgow Green before parading through the city center. Protesters carried banners proclaiming “a better world is possible” and featured groups such as Extinction Rebellion, who amplified their messages with a portable sound system.
This massive turnout highlights deep public concern over climate change. Many children participated, chanting slogans such as “Stop Rosebank, the planet is for everyone,” referring to the controversial Rosebank oil field west of the Shetland Isles. The rally featured a choir singing altered Christmas carols to protest against fossil fuels, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable practices.
Ben Williams, a father of two from Glasgow, attended the rally with his daughters, aged six and three. He expressed hope that their presence would compel politicians to take climate action seriously. “I have come today to show my children about activism and support in numbers. They enjoy going to protests,” he said.
Emma Henry, 41, also from Glasgow, echoed the sentiment, stating, “I came today because this is so important. I feel so helpless about what is happening with the climate crisis; it is terrible.” Her words reflect a growing frustration among citizens feeling isolated in their fight against climate issues.
Speakers at the rally included STUC Deputy Secretary Dave Moxham and Poverty Alliance Chief Executive Peter Kelly, who rallied the crowd with messages of hope and unity. “People came out in huge numbers to demand that better world we know is possible,” said Caroline Rance, head of campaigns for Friends of the Earth Scotland. She stressed that transformative change is achievable with the necessary political will.
Demonstrators also showed solidarity with the people of Gaza by carrying Palestinian flags, connecting the climate crisis with global social justice issues. Nick Cullen of the Climate and Migrant Justice Organising Group emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “Today showed that in these challenging times, our communities are stronger and more powerful when we come together.”
John Hilley from the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee highlighted the interconnectedness of environmental and humanitarian crises. “Genocide and ecocide are part of the same assault on people and planet,” he said. “We must act together and with urgency against the same corporate and political forces behind those existential threats.”
As the rally concluded, the message was clear: the urgency for climate action cannot be overstated. With thousands of voices united, the call for immediate policy change and sustainable practices resonated throughout Glasgow and beyond. This event marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for climate justice.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
