Sep 20, 2019, 2:22 PM
(From The New York Times) New York City Department of Education has given the green light to public school students who want to attend the Global Climate Strike on Friday, September 20th, meaning as many as 1.1 million kids may turn up to the largest demonstration on climate in the country's history. The decision lends institutional support to the movement and national protest organizers, who expressed hope that other districts around the country would issue excused absences for students attending the strike.
"This completely changes everything," said one high school activist who worked with other youth organizers to get City Council members to request excused absences. Student activists hope to send a message to world leaders scheduled to appear at the United Nations for Climate Action Summit that follows it. Meanwhile, the Department of Education is preparing guidelines and grade-appropriate materials to teachers to bolster the lessons in civics, historical student protest and climate change.
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