I followed one stream of the crowd, curious about their destination. They were mostly young people, dressed in colorful clothes and carrying signs and banners. Some of them were singing songs, others were chanting slogans, and a few were playing drums and guitars. They seemed cheerful and excited, as if they were going to a festival.
As they walked down the hill, I saw more and more people joining them from different streets and alleys. They greeted each other with hugs and smiles, and waved their signs in the air. Some of the signs said things like “Save the planet”, “Climate justice now”, “There is no planet B”, and “We are the change”. I realized they were part of a global movement of youth activists who were demanding action on the climate crisis.
As the stream reached the town centre, I saw a huge crowd of people gathered in front of the city hall. There was a stage set up, where speakers and performers were taking turns to address the audience. I heard applause, cheers, and chants of “We want change”. I also heard some boos and jeers, as I noticed a group of counter-protesters holding signs that said things like “Stop the green scam”, “Climate change is a hoax”, and “Don’t mess with our economy”. They were surrounded by police officers, who were trying to keep them away from the main crowd.
I felt a mix of emotions as I watched the scene. I admired the courage and passion of the young activists, who were standing up for their future and the future of the planet. I also felt sad and angry that some people still denied or ignored the reality of the climate crisis, and opposed any efforts to solve it. I wondered what would happen next, and what role I could play in this historic moment.