PSP member Lauren Waugh shares her experiences in Saturday’s climate march.
In general, the Project Survivalists don’t see ourselves as ‘activists’, but advocates. Despite my parents’ blatant fear that I will, at some point, be arrested for chaining myself to a coal power station, I have never been involved in a protest. It was with mixed feelings that I headed into Saturday’s climate march. But thousands of passionate people were fighting for a cause I believe in, and for better or worse, I wanted to be there.
Coming into the city on Saturday there was a strange feeling in the atmosphere. The excitement was perceptible. But there was also a deep feeling of anxiety. Police lined the streets and the train stations, and helicopters circled the sky ominously. Copenhageners peered curiously at the banner-wielding strangers. We were all wondering, but hesitant to put into words, the question on our minds: how will today end?
The march was to start at the Houses of Parliament, and finish at the Bella Centre, where COP15 is being held. We arrived late, but quickly slotted into the crowd that was gathering.
The march was visually spectacular from start to finish. Signs in the crowd spouted messages such as ‘Climate Justice Now!’ and ‘There is no Planet B’. Coming late, it was impossible to figure out where in the crowd we actually were, or whether our friends were ahead or behind us. Taking possession of a conveniently-abandoned ‘Climate Justice Now!’ sign, we embarked upon what was to be a frosty, passionate three-hour walk.
Although later reports confirmed that over 900 people were detained by police, I did not personally see any conflict (although I was sworn at in several languages by a particularly vitriolic shopkeeper). For me, the remarkable thing was the passion and unity of the global climate movement.
I felt too that there was a somber awareness of the historicalness of the moment. Estimates on attendance vary between 25,000 and 100,000 people, making it the largest climate march in history. This was a story for future children and grandchildren- an iconic ‘I was there’ moment that would stay with us all for life.
As the sky darkened, the protesters reached the Bella Centre for a candlelit vigil. I headed home relieved and exhausted. And although it may sound naïve, simply having been there revived my trust in the world. Alone in the excited crowd, it felt for a moment as if perhaps this time, world leaders would listen.
I was there!