I’m Drew. I’m the new Virginia Campus Organizer at CCAN, and I can’t wait to dive in and support all of the amazing youth organizing happening all around our state. I spent the last few years organizing both on my campus at Virginia Tech, and bringing together students from across the region to form the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition (You can read more about me on the staff page).
I am absolutely overwhelmed at how much energy students are bringing to the People’s Climate March. Campuses across the state are mobilizing harder than I’ve ever seen, and it has me ready to work harder than ever. Already there are over 300 Virginia students planning to march this Sunday in New York City, joining more than 300 other campuses bringing thousands of students to march for our future.
The People’s Climate March is going to be the largest climate mobilization in history. With the problems we’re facing in Virginia due to dependence on fossil fuels–from severe flooding along our coast to severe asthma rates in Richmond to more severe storms just about everywhere–we need everyone there. Here are key updates on how you can: 1) Get to NYC; 2) March with the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition; and 3) Bring the momentum back to Virginia.
1) Getting there: Are you still looking for a ride? Here’s a rideboard for Virginia students to coordinate carpools to NYC. Please use it to form carpools from your area. Reminder: If you’re willing to use your car, please state how many seats you have! You can also check out the People’s Climate March ride board. Click here to see what’s available.
2) March with Virginia students: Virginia students will be marching as a block in the student delegation at the People’s Climate March. Check out the march line-up here. We will be meeting at Wagnar Cove in Central Park at 10:45 am. It’s a short walk from the 72nd Street subway station, and right in line with the student delegation. Make sure you and your delegation are there. We want to meet each other and march together to make Virginia student voices heard! For a map with the location of Sunday’s meet up point at Wagnar Cove, click here.
3) Join the call on September 24th: September 21st will be a big moment for our movement. We’re gearing up to bring that momentum back to Virginia — and keep up the pressure on our politicians and big corporate polluters like Dominion Virginia Power. To get rolling, we will be having a statewide Virginia Student Call on Wednesday, September 24th at 9pm. We will use this call to share major takeaways from the march, solidify our connections with new friends, and plan our next actions as a statewide youth network ready to combat climate change. Sign up here to join the Virginia Student Call.
The People’s Climate March is going to be big. Let’s come together and demand action on climate, both nationally and at home in Virginia.
Want to get your campus for involved in climate organizing? Email me at Drew@Chesapeakeclimate.org.