More than two dozen people rallied in uptown Saint John on Wednesday night to demand “emergency-level” climate action.
The evening rally and march was part of the Canada on Fire Day of Action, a national movement spearheaded by 350 Canada.
Lynaya Astephen, who organized the local event, said this bringing awareness to the climate emergency is especially important during the federal election campaign.
“We want to make sure that all parties and all candidates are aware that this should be a top issue this election,” Astephen said in an interview after the rally.
Participants started the event at King’s Square before marching down King Street to City Hall, where Astephen and others spoke about the need for climate action.
350 Canada, which describes itself as a “people-powered movement for climate action,” pointed to this summer’s extreme wildfires and heat as some of the main reasons behind the day of action.
The group wants to see a moratorium on fossil fuel expansion, including stopping construction on existing expansion projects, and an “urgent and robust just transition plan” to move past fossil fuels.
Astephen, who is a member of local grassroots organization leap4wards, said she felt it was important to get involved in this day of action.
“I think it’s incredibly in a place like Saint John that has the effects of sea-level rise eventually and we also have Canada’s largest oil refinery here,” she said.
Events took place on Wednesday in more than 60 communities across the country. The Saint John event, which was the only one in New Brunswick, drew people from as far away as Moncton.
Around two dozen people have gathered in uptown Saint John for the On Fire Day of Action. It’s part of a national day of action being spearheaded by 350 Canada to demand emergency-level action on the climate crisis. pic.twitter.com/fPI9YqzL3S
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) September 8, 2021
