AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — A man approached Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, after she invited a Palestinian and an Afghan woman to speak during a climate demonstration in the Dutch capital, and he briefly interrupted her on stage.
Thunberg spoke in front of thousands when she brought the women on stage.
“As a climate justice movement, we must listen to the voices of those who are oppressed as well as those who fight for freedom and justice.” “Without international solidarity, there can be no climate justice,” Thunberg stated.
After the Palestinian and Afghan women finished speaking and Thunberg started her address, a man approached her and said, “I have come here for a climate demonstration, not a political view,” before being escorted off the platform.
The identity of the man took time to become obvious. He was wearing a jacket bearing the name of Water Natuurlijk, a group that has elected members to Dutch water boards.
The Afghan woman, Sahar Shirzad, told The Associated Press that Thunberg let them join her on stage.
“Basically, she gave her time to us,” she explained.
The gathering was momentarily interrupted before Thunberg entered the platform by a small group of activists at the front of the crowd waving Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.
She seemed unfazed and was subsequently seen dancing behind the stage while the band played.
Tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Amsterdam in a major protest just 10 days before a national election, pushing for more action to combat climate change.
According to organizers, the march drew 70,000 people, making it the largest climate protest in the Netherlands’ history.
Thunberg was among those strolling around Amsterdam’s historic center.
Later, political leaders addressed the crowd assembled on a square behind the iconic Rijksmuseum, including former European Union climate director Frans Timmermans, who now leads a center-left, two-party group in the election campaign.
“We live in a time of crises resulting from political decisions made.” It must be done, and it can be done differently,” stated Climate Crisis Coalition organizers.
Greta Thunberg Brushes Off Interruption At Massive Dutch Climate March Days Before Election
While the Fridays for Future youth movement was represented in the coalition, protestors of all ages were present, including a huge force of medics in white coats carrying a banner that read: “Climate crisis = health crisis.”
“I work as a paediatrician.” “I’m here to advocate for children’s rights,” said Laura Sonneveld. “Children are the first to be affected by climate change.”
Climate change is a crucial policy issue for political parties competing in the Nov. 22 general election.
“The time has come for us to protest government decisions,” said Margje Weijs, a Spanish teacher and youth coach. “I hope this influences the election.”
SOURCE – (AP)
