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Portland youths scream for their demands to be heard during the Global Climate Strike on Friday, Sept. 21. (Photo by Eric Elmore)

PHOTOS: Passion, fear, activism prevail at Portland Climate Strike

Street Roots
Thousands of students rally in the city to demand action on the global climate crisis
by Eric Elmore | 22 Sep 2019

Their message was loud and clear: The future of our planet requires action now. Thousands of students rallied in downtown Portland on Friday, Sept. 20, demanding that politicians give priority to mitigating the climate crisis. The protesters rallied at City Hall, then marched across the Hawthorne Bridge to a Climate Festival at OMSI. The demonstration was part of a Global Climate Strike inspired by 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg.

A banner reads "Our house is on fire.” Greta Thunberg’s unapologetic and blunt honesty regarding the climate crisis has resonated with youths and was on full display during the Portland rally.

“I want you to act like our house is on fire, because it is.” Thunberg’s unapologetic and blunt honesty regarding the climate crisis has resonated with youths and was on full display during the Portland rally.

Protest signs encouraging adults to “feel the fear” that the youths feel about their future were abundant.

Protest signs encouraging adults to “feel the fear” that the youths feel about their future were abundant. 

Portland Climate Strike: A sign that reads "I want snow days" rests on a baby.

Rally participants emphasized the impact the climate crisis would have on young people’s lives.

Crowd at Portland Climate Strike

A demonstrator wiped a tear from her eye as youths listened to their peers speak about their fears, anger and frustration regarding the climate crisis.

Portland Climate Strike: A child rides on the shoulders of an adult.

A young child got an aerial view of the march across the Hawthorne Bridge. 

As youths entered the Climate Festival at OMSI, they put aside their protest signs.

As youths entered the Climate Festival at OMSI, they put aside their protest signs. Their legislative agenda centered on four demands: Establish a climate test so that every decision made by the city of Portland takes into account the impact on the planet; formally declare a climate emergency; fund free TriMet passes to all high school students in Portland; and deny permits for the Zenith tar sands oil terminal. 

Pacific Climate Warriors and Extinction Rebellion PDX

Numerous organizations advocating for environmental justice were present at the Climate Festival at OMSI. Among them were Pacific Climate Warriors, a youth-led organization that brings attention to the devastation climate change is wreaking on their home island communities, and Extinction Rebellion PDX, which employs nonviolent civil disobedience to achieve change.

Link to a photo essay about Extinction Rebellion PDX activists

Portland Climate Strike: A representative of Food Not Bombs PDX handed out vegan food at the Climate Festival at OMSI.

A representative of Food Not Bombs PDX handed out vegan food at the Climate Festival at OMSI. A plant-based diet is important to protecting the environment, according to the organization’s website.

Portland Climate Strike: A child howled in solidarity with the Allied Megafauna wolves.

A child howled in solidarity with the Allied Megafauna wolves.

Portland Climate Strike:  Indigenous youth leaders performed a traditional ceremony in front of a crowd of thousands of protesters.

Indigenous youth leaders performed a traditional ceremony in front of a crowd of thousands of protesters.

Portland Climate Strike: A protester with a sign and a decorative skeleton

Protesters embraced true “weird Portland” style as they demanded bold action from political leaders.

For more information about the Global Climate Strike and the week of action that follows, visit climatestrikeoregon.org.


Street Roots is an award-winning, nonprofit, weekly newspaper focusing on economic, environmental and social justice issues. Our newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity.  Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.
© 2019 Street Roots. All rights reserved.  | To request permission to reuse content, email editor@streetroots.org or call 503-228-5657, ext. 404.
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Climate change
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