The Student Newspaper of MSU Denver
mymetmedia.com
VOL. 42 NO. 7
@themetonline
SEPTEMBER 25, 2019
themetropolitan
Action against inaction International climate strike leaves footprint in the Mile High City
Photo by Herman Guzman-Ibarra | hguzmani@msudenver.edu
Maria Michele, an indigenous leader, advocates for people to take action on climate change at the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver on Sept. 20.
the United Nations Climate Summit.
By Sabrina Laratta
Their demands included: the enforcement
slaratt1@msudenver.edu
of the Green New Deal and no fossil fuel The 16th Street Mall’s usual mix of
building an army of young people to fight
lobbyists within the oil, gas and coal
the climate crisis and to ensure a Green New
industries. Instead, the pledge states that
Deal be implemented,” Weindling said.
politicians will put people’s health, the
money pledge, respect of indigenous
The movement’s main goal is to help
climate and democracy over any profits that
coffee-seekers and curious tourists
land and sovereignty, environmental
lead their army of young climate activists
blended with a new ingredient on the
justice for those on the front lines of
to hold Senate candidates accountable
morning of Sept. 20 — irate protesters
poverty and pollution, and protection of
and ensure they sign the No Fossil Fuel
the steps of the Capitol where they
taking a stand against climate change.
biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
money pledge — most importantly, these
welcomed Senate candidates running
candidates should be treating climate
for the 2020 election to either sign the
change as a national emergency.
pledge or sign again to reaffirm their
Thousands of teenagers, adults
The coalition of youth strike groups
and every demographic in between
has been in charge of putting together
marched from Union Station to the
the strike and this list of demands.
State Capitol Building to jump start
Sunrise Movement is one of the
“Our generation’s survival is at stake,”
commitment. Candidates running for U.S. Senate who signed the pledge
establishment is asleep at the wheel.”
included Alice Madden and Andrew
national partner organizations that helped
Week of Actions. The demonstration
coordinate the strike. Michele Weindling
was one of dozens across the state and
and Nick Tuta with Sunrise Movement
Sunrise encourages politicians to sign
hundreds across the world to coincide
are coordinators for the organization.
states that they will not accept contributions
“Sunrise is a national movement. It’s
Weindling and Tuta also spoke on
Tuta said. “Meanwhile the political
the youth-led Colorado Climate Strike
with activist Greta Thunberg’s speech at
could be made from fossil fuel industries.
The No Fossil Fuel money pledge that
Romanoff. John Kelly, who is running for Colorado State Senate, also signed.
of over $200 from executives, PACS or
| Continued on pg. 2
INSIDE
NEWS
| pg. 3
OPINION
| pg. 4
FEATURES
| pg. 7
SPORTS
| pg. 8
Change is on the horizon for
Open letter: Opportunity lost by
School program embraces idea of
Volleyball sweeps conference foes,
Roadways program
dropping degree program
“Brave Spaces”
increases win streak to three