Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported the artist who wrote and performed “This Land Is Your Land.” It was Woody Guthrie.
NORTHAMPTON – Students gathered Friday morning on the steps of City Hall to protest for political action on climate change as a part of the Massachusetts Youth Climate Strike.
“Our job as youth and as a planet is to start the revolution,” said Neville Meroni, 15, a ninth grader at Northampton High School.
The protesters, all students from Hampshire County schools, displayed hand-made signs, played music and sang along to “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie, and chanted slogans during the hour-long demonstration.
Many signs said “11 years,” citing United Nations report that warned there are only 11 years left to avert a climate crisis by keeping global warming to only 1.5°C.
“Political leaders in Massachusetts and around the world have failed to prioritize — and in some cases even acknowledge — climate change,” protest organizers said in a press release. “Our futures are on the line, and we will demand attention for climate change before it’s too late.”
Erin O’Neill can be reached at eoneill@gazettenet.com.