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Indybay Feature

Palo Alto Youth Lead Local Protest during U.N. Climate Conference

by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
This year is the 25th meeting of the conference under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP25. The conference is being held December 2 through the 13th in Madrid. In Palo Alto, California on December 6th, youth activists led a Climate Strike, part of a coordinated international action timed to coincide with the U.N. Conference.
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Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo. Please credit the photographer.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has sought to assure nations at the U.N. conference in Madrid that the U.S. would join its efforts to fight climate change despite President Donald Trump's move to pull the U.S. out the Paris agreement.

The talks have unfolded against a backdrop of rising public concern about climate change and a surge in protests, led by young people, calling on governments to step up action to rein in global warming and protect their citizens from its impacts. In Palo Alto, California, student leader Kyle Matthys, a senior at Gunn High School, said, "I’m striking because I want to show that just because someone is young doesn’t mean they can’t influence and change the world around them." Kyle and other young climate activist leaders were joined by protesters of all ages on Friday evening, in what at first was a light drizzle of rain.

The Raging Grannies led chanting and a singalong ahead of the march through downtown Palo Alto. By the time marchers made their way through the streets and back to downtown Lytton Plaza, where the event had begun, rain looked light it might drown out the protesters. Speakers were not phased by inclement weather, however, and the action continued with speeches urging haste. "Act like your house is on fire!" said one sign..."Because it is!"

§"Act like..."
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Youth Leader Kyle Matthys Explains a Point
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Sunrise Movement Palo Alto Hub Took the Lead in Organizing
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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Many orgs lent a hand.
§Can you read this?
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Front View of Above Sign
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Raging Grannies Started things Off
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§The March Begins!
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Marching with Megaphones
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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Foothill College student, Timothy G. at left.
§Chanting as they March, Elders Take Part
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Umbrella Catches the Light from a Street Post
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Upon Return to Lytton Plaza
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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Inspired speakers took turns, stepping up on a bench to tell the crowd what was on their minds.
§Rain Gear deployed!
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Holiday Lights in the Plaza Reflected in a Student's Glasses
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Die-Hard Elders Listen to Youth Speakers in the Rain
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Listening to Speakers
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Stanford Students
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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§Peninsula Peace and Justice Center
by Text: RR Photos: Leo Leung, Pro Bono Photo
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