Students, community strike for the climate

Photo by Victoria Durgin

By Victoria Durgin, Editor in Chief

Susquehanna students, faculty and staff joined members of the public during the early afternoon on Sept. 24 to rally in support of sustainable initiatives targeted towards climate change.

The Susquehanna climate strike was held in accordance with international guidelines and was one of many that occurred around the world on Friday. It was the first climate strike held on Susquehanna’s campus; two years ago, students joined a strike at Bucknell University.

The strike began at Degenstein Fountain around 11:45 a.m. 

“It’s incredible to see so many people come out to strike for our future all together with millions from around the world,” said senior Sydney Hergan, one of the organizers of the strike.

Hergan also spoke on why she and others were striking.

“I want you to strike today thinking of the best outcomes of our wildest dreams and our brightest futures because that’s why we’re here.”

After the group listened to Hergan’s speech, supporters began their march from campus to Market Street in Selinsgrove.

Strikers passed Selinsgrove Hall, where they stopped in the street to yell several chants, likely directed towards President Jonathan Green and other administration whose offices are in the building. 

“You know whose office that is, so be loud,” Hergan said as the group passed by.

(The last time a group gathered outside Selinsgrove Hall, they delivered a petition to divest from fossil fuels. Read more about that movement.)

Chants of “What do we want? Climate action!” and “no more fossil fuels!” filled the air as the group continued to walk down University Avenue.

About 50 students, plus several Susquehanna faculty members and organizers from groups such as Sunrise Lewisburg and Citizens Climate Lobby, eventually landed in the parking lot next to Sharon Lutheran Church. 

Here, the group stopped and held their signs facing the busy traffic up and down Market Street. 

University Chaplain Scott Kershner addressed the group with a message of connection. 

“The world is our home and people who share our home are family,” Kershner said. 

He also called on the crowd to “bear witness to the truth” and continue to speak out in support of their beliefs. 

This sentiment was echoed by Susquehanna professor Drew Hubbell, who leads the Environmental Studies program.

“I don’t want to steal your thunder, because this is your day, this is a day for student activism,” Hubbell said. 

While at the church, several students also shared why they were striking and what they hoped would come out of their action. 

Junior Casey Dunn spoke about his experiences with damaging flooding and its connection to climate change, and two students spoke about the future they want younger children to have on the planet.

Once the crowd finished sharing their thoughts, the march continued further up Market Street to the Kidsgrove complex on Sassafras Street where the event wrapped up. 

In closing remarks, co-organizer Grant Rowe thanked Hergan for her leadership and thanked everyone who gathered for marching with them. 

The strike coincides with a larger conversation on climate change and environmental concerns on campus. The current Department of Theatre season is themed entirely around the environment. Signage used during the strike will now be displayed at Degenstein Theater during performances throughout the year.