Greta Thunberg in Bristol: thousands brave the rain to join climate strike

Tens of thousands of people, many of them children skipping school, braved heavy rain and thick mud to join a climate strike headed by Greta Thunberg in Bristol city centre.

The vast crowd fell silent as 17-year-old Thunberg said governments were acting like children so it fell upon youngsters to be “the adults in the room”.

Police said there were more than 20,000 at the Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate event on College Green in the city but organisers estimated the figure to be closer to 30,000.

Criticising governments and the powerful, Thunberg said: “Once again, they sweep their mess under the rug for us – young people, their children – to clean up for them.

“We must continue and we have to be patient. Remember that the changes required will not happen overnight.”

Thunberg arrived in Bristol by train and was driven to the climate strike in a red Nissan Leaf electric car.

Wearing a yellow raincoat and woolly hat, she took to the stage to chants of “Greta, Greta” from schoolchildren and teenagers.

She told them: “We will not be silenced because we are the change, and change is coming whether you like it or not. This emergency is being completely ignored by the politicians, the media and those in power.

“Basically, nothing is being done to halt this crisis despite all the beautiful words and promises from our elected officials. So what did you do during this crucial time? I will not be silenced when the world is on fire.”

Thunberg flagged up the recent decision by north Somerset council to oppose Bristol airport expansion as an example of what could be achieved if activists worked together.

The Swedish teenager went on to join protesters, including school pupils, on a march through the city centre accompanied by a samba band.

Avon and Somerset police had warned of the potential for protesters to be hurt and urged parents not to allow children to go unaccompanied.

Bristol Cathedral, which sits on College Green, was ready to open its doors to anyone needing refuge but the organisers insisted they had put measures in place to make sure nobody was hurt.

Just before Thunberg’s speech, an incident in the crowd prompted one organiser to call for a stretcher and ambulance from the stage.

The poor weather did not dampen enthusiasm. Alison Thomson, who brought her daughter, Emily, 10, to the event, said: “I thought she might be a bit young to come but she said this would be her only chance to see her [Thunberg] speak so I agreed.” Emily said: “I think it’s really important that people understand what is happening to the Earth.” She was returning to school after the event to give a presentation on climate change.

Isaac and Maya Swann, 11 and 15, had persuaded their mother, Karen Davies, to bring them along. Isaac said: “We wanted to see Greta and to join the march.” Maya said: “We want to help make a change. She’s really brave and inspirational, giving up part of her childhood to spread this message.”

Davies said: “I was against them taking time off but last night they came to me and said they felt if I was their age I would be there. They were right. I’d be in the thick of it. I sent an email to the school and they were supportive. I think many schools see it as educational.”

Ed Thompson, a housemaster at Clifton college, took overseas boarders aged 11-13 and the school’s “green team” to the event. He said: “We have discussed Greta’s influence in school, and she is a true icon to all ages for her passion, determination, tenacity and likability. The word ‘inspiration’ is too often used, but she is a guiding light to the next generation for peaceful but powerful activism, and encouraging love and care for our environment, which is such a strong message for young people.”

The crowd was swollen by many students who missed lectures, tutorials and lab sessions to listen to Thunberg.

But it was not just young people who attended . There were groups of doctors, nurses, even a collective of wildlife film-makers.

One moment of tension came when police equipped with video cameras moved through the crowd pointing their lenses at strikers, including a group from the Public and Commercial Services Union.

Some employers had turned a blind eye to workers who wanted to listen to Thunberg.

The green energy company Good Energy from Chippenham in Wiltshire went further, actively telling its 250-strong workforce to join the strike.

One of the strikers, Johanna Pettipher, who works as an accounts specialist, said: “Going on climate strike on the direction of Good Energy’s senior team feels like a blessing. In my last job, I had to take a day off work to go to the climate strike in October. Protesting is the best way to tell the world that we are ready for better.”

The mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, tweeted a picture of the crowds taken from City Hall: