UPDATE: Thousands of demonstrators marched through Glasgow today, marking the city’s largest environmental rally since the Cop26 conference in 2021. This urgent protest comes as Cop30 takes place in Brazil, highlighting the ongoing global climate crisis that demands immediate action.
The rally commenced at Glasgow Green on December 9, 2023, where participants, including numerous children, gathered to advocate for a sustainable future. A leading banner declared, “A better world is possible,” as activists from Extinction Rebellion energized the crowd with a portable sound system. Attendees sang modified Christmas carols protesting the controversial Rosebank oil field, located west of the Shetland Isles.
Organized by Friends Of The Earth Scotland, the event attracted thousands, confirming it as the “biggest climate march in Glasgow since the UN climate conference in 2021.” Protesters included families, like father-of-two Ben Williams, who expressed hope that this display of unity would compel politicians to take action. “I came today to show my children about activism and support in numbers,” he stated.
Emotional sentiments echoed throughout the demonstration. Local resident Emma Henry emphasized the importance of collective action during these isolating times, declaring, “I feel so helpless about what is happening with the climate crisis; it is terrible.”
The rally featured speeches from influential figures, including Dave Moxham, deputy secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), and Peter Kelly, chief executive of the Poverty Alliance. They urged attendees to recognize the interconnectedness of climate issues, socioeconomic struggles, and global injustices.
Caroline Rance, head of campaigns at Friends Of The Earth Scotland, stated, “People came out in huge numbers to demand that better world we know is possible.” She stressed the need for political will to drive transformative change, noting that public concern about climate breakdown remains high.
Additionally, the march displayed solidarity with the people of Gaza, with many protesters carrying Palestinian flags. Activists from the Climate and Migrant Justice Organising Group and the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee emphasized the need for unity against systemic injustices affecting both people and the planet.
As the rally concluded, participants like John Hilley of the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee highlighted the urgency of addressing both genocide and ecocide, stating, “We must act together and with urgency against the same corporate and political forces behind those existential threats.”
Today’s event serves as a powerful reminder of the pressing need for climate action and solidarity across global struggles. The commitment shown by thousands in Glasgow underscores a collective demand for immediate and effective responses to the climate crisis.
What happens next? Activists plan to maintain momentum in the coming weeks, urging policymakers to heed the call for a sustainable and equitable future. Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.
