A Gathering of the Activist Army – 100,000 Attend COP26 Coalition Global Day of Action March in Glasgow
Glasgow saw the largest of COP26 yet gathering of multiple blocs of activists, as they descended in their 10s of thousands on 6th November. The carnival-like army of protestors - clad in costumes, adorned with placards, or wielding instruments – made their way through the city centre before stopping in Glasgow Green.
Led by the Indigenous groups of activists, the torrent of people out to have their voices heard was never-ending. A global community of all ages; the march included instruments, songs and rallying cries from far and wide: from Tibetan chants to bagpipes the coalition had it all!
Tibetan nationals leading the charge carried placards and banners pleading for change; Tibet is home to the world’s ‘Third Pole’ and it is rapidly melting. The Tibetan Plateau holds the largest reserve of freshwater ice after the polar regions, since 2000, the rate of glaciers melting in Tibet has doubled - these glaciers provide water for 2 billion people. The Free Tibet organisation marched proudly, trying to raise awareness for their cause with no official representation at COP26.
Rainfall, mixed with some welcome spells of Scottish apricity, could not dampen the collective spirits of the march. As they made their way into George Square, different pockets of protestors staged miniature shows such as this flash mob from Extinction Rebellion Fashion Action caught by City Live:
Following their performance there were announcements shouted over the crowd, which said: “We demand an end to fossil fuel fashion! We demand an end to a toxic fashion system that exceed our earth’s limits! Keep the oil in the ground and stop plastic fashion pollution!”
It was hard to know where to look, or which cause to focus on, with so much being demonstrated against. Every faction of climate and social justice appeared for the COP26 Coalition, a very strong message is being sent from the streets in Glasgow: we want change; we want it from everyone; we want it now; we are watching, and we are not going anywhere.