Scilly pupils to join climate change march
Students from Five Islands Academy will join thousands of others in a march for climate change tomorrow.
Young people in more than 90 countries will skip school on Friday to demand politicians take action on the issue.
Around 150 children from Scilly will march from the school to the Town Hall on St Mary's.
Isles of Scilly Police will be walking with the pupils to make sure the march goes smoothly.
Sgt Darren White said yesterday: "Our responsibility is to make sure that event is undertaken safely. Today we've sat down with school representatives - pupils - to discuss what their intentions are and more importantly, how we can keep them safe and assist them in their march.
"The event will take place between 11.30am and 12.30pm. We as the police respectfully ask that residents of the island, if they're in their vehicle, steer clear of the area between the school and Town Hall. Anyone who does want to come down to Hugh Town, the Strand will still be completely open and accessible."
Upon arrival at the Town Hall, the students will present the Council with a petition calling for change in the way they tackle climate change, with four demands written by the UK Student Climate Network.
The petition can be signed online at this link and there will be a physical copy at the school reception from today.
Cllr Jonathan Smith said: "It's a happy coincidence because I have been starting to pave the way for the Isles of Scilly Council to hold a motion of a climate emergency, taking the lead from Cornwall Council in January. Therefore I will be delighted to receive such a petition from the school children!"
Pupil Aidan Smith added: "This is only the first step - we expect the Council to represent us; and Henry Dean, our Member of Youth Parliament, will be speaking to [Scilly's MP] Derek Thomas about our demands."
