Hundreds of DMAE students gathered in solidarity in front of the Dizzy Gillespie Auditorium joining thousands of other students worldwide on September 20, 2019, to demand immediate climate change action. With carbon emissions and temperatures rising, and scientists predicting that humanity has less than a hundred years of existence left, young people across the world are concerned and want laws to stop global warming before it’s too late.

“It is kind of terrifying what is happening to our world right now, and yet nothing seems to be changing administration-wise, and most adults do not seem to care, leaving it up to us [young people] to be advocates for the planet and the future we want to live,” senior Ameera Baksh said.

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It is kind of terrifying what is happening to our world right now, and yet nothing seems to be changing…

— Ameera Baksh

The protest at DMAE, organized primarily by junior and Project Green president Joey Liberti, took place during second and third periods and included two speakers. Students marched in unison wearing green and toted signs with slogans such as “There is no Planet B” and “Science not Silence,” and were photographed by the local press. While students rallied, Joey took the podium to speak to the crowd.

“It is all about the little things we can do to save our environment – recycling and cutting down carbon emissions, just doing something,” he said. “By doing these little things and demanding action we are already winning the war against climate change,” he added.

Sara Stroman, a member of the Englewood NJ Environmental Commission, spoke as well, urging students to make their voices heard regarding climate issues, commenting “We are all lettuce.” This statement was made to emphasize that all humans rely on the environment and if the environment gets destroyed, humanity does as well. Stroman suggested one action that would make a huge impact: “Stop using plastic water bottles!” 

The event took approximately two weeks to organize with the help of teacher Judy Aronson.

“I heard about the walkout before Joey and by chance ran into him at a football game, and it evolved into something – a movement for DMAE students,” Ms. Aronson stated. 

Many view the walkout as the beginning of the new and powerful environmental agenda. With the success of this Earth Day, students are hopeful that voting in the November elections will lead to the election of candidates concerned with the climate crisis  for their sake and the sake of the planet.

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