Cass Tech Student, Local Artist Team Up For Global Climate Strike

Activists will gather at Grand Circus Park to protest inaction on climate change, part of a global youth-led movement to increase pressure on policymakers.

Ryan Patrick Hooper
Ryan Patrick Hooper

Starting Friday around the globe, the Global Climate Strike will bring activists together to protest environmental injustice.

In Detroit, the strike will take place at Grand Circus Park downtown at 3:00 pm — and its being led by youths demanding change like Cass Tech senior Brooke Solomon.

“This is a constant concern for me because climate inaction and environmental injustice affects me on a daily basis,” says Soloman, whose been involved in actions around water shutoffs in Detroit public schools. 

The event will feature an open mic for anyone looking to voice their opinion about climate issues affecting their community.

Leading up to the event, Detroit-based artist Ellen Rutt hosted a series of “art builds” at her studio to help student protesters create banners and signage that align with their cause. Rutt’s involvement is in partnership with the Sunrise Movement, an American youth-led political movement tackling issues around climate change.

“I think that the best antidote for burnout is joy,” says Rutt. “I hope that beyond everything else this is an opportunity to celebrate each other and motivate each other in this fight for environmental justice.”

Click on the player above to hear the full conversation with artist Ellen Rutt and Cass Tech senior Brooke Solomon.

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Author

  • Ryan Patrick Hooper
    Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host and producer of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. Hooper has covered stories for the New York Times, NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.