Saturday November 6th saw thousands of people collect in Millennium Square in Leeds, as part of a Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, co-ordinated by the COP26 Coalition.
Just Transition Wakefield was highly visible on the day, with a stall, flags and the banner on the march, and of course people. We were also an important part of the organising committee – the Yorkshire and Humber COP26 Coalition Hub – and the event on the day.
The front was back in Millennium Square while the tail was still on Vicar Lane – that is the whole of The Headrow! It was a big march!
There were some great speakers, from West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin to local activists, with Trade Unions, educationalists, and others between. The theme of the day was Global Justice, with key demands including “No new fossil fuels”; “Global justice and reparations for climate loss and damage”, and of course to “Start the Just Transition now”.
Stuart from Just Transition Wakefield who was part of the media group explained “We have to send a loud and clear message to politicians meeting in Glasgow that the whole world is watching. We are demanding real and urgent climate action, not more Blah Blah Blah. We cannot afford more dither and delay – the world is clearly changing faster than politics – but climate breakdown will not wait for people to catch up!”.
Stuart added “The talks are still focusing on business and market solutions, not a just transition that gives everyone a role and a stake in a new zero carbon economy. There is still too much greenwash and too many targets without policy.”
You can see the Look North report here.
You can see the Yorkshire Evening Post report here.
We want to thank everyone who braved the wind and rain, all of the speakers, all of the organisers and the musicians who entertained us: Foxwood Steel Band, Brigadistas, the Commoners Choir and PWK.