Impact

Penn State students march for climate justice on April 29

Seats for students still available

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State student groups Eco Action and Fossil Free PSU are organizing a bus to send 55 participants to the People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C., on April 29. Part of the larger People’s Climate Movement, the march will urge the government to address issues relating to climate change.

The march will begin at 12:30 p.m. near the Capitol, travel up Pennsylvania Avenue and ultimately surround the White House Grounds.

“The 2014 Climate March in New York City inspired me,” said Maddy Nyblade, president of Eco Action. Three years later, Penn State students Nyblade, Lucien Simpfendoerfer, Alison Kelly, Arin Lewis and Zak Kalp are organizing for the next climate march.

“I think young people feel voiceless in the current political climate,” Nyblade said. “This march is one way we can have our voices heard.”

Kalp, an undergraduate student studying political science, said he was inspired to march because he could not sit back and do nothing.

“Congress and the President need to make climate change a top priority,” said Kalp

The voices of these Penn Staters will join a diverse chorus of protesters united in tackling climate change and promoting an economy that works for jobs and the planet. The People’s Climate Movement includes over 50 organizations, from environmental organizations to racial and economic justice groups.

“We hope the students marching will be inspired by the overwhelming power of a march,” Nyblade said. “We hope they take this energy back home by engaging in local politics and speaking out on issues they feel strongly about.”

A total of 30 private community and student organization donations will cover the trip cost. “It truly has been a community effort and I am grateful for the support,” said Nyblade.

The march follows last week’s March for Science, in which tens of thousands took to the streets to support the sciences.

There are still a few seats left, and students interested in traveling to the march should sign up at https://goo.gl/forms/43lFVlNAI33bBBT83 or e-mail Nyblade at mln5165@psu.edu. Once seats are full, students will be added to a wait list.

For those who can’t attend, but want to participate, EcoAction will be holding a sign-making session at 7 p.m., April 27, in 203 Willard. All are welcome to attend.

For those unable to travel to D.C., Central PA People’s Climate Day will take place at the Sydney Freedman Parklet in downtown State College from 10 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. 

Last Updated April 26, 2017