… In the United States, strike organizers expected events in more than 1,100 locations in all 50 states. In San Francisco, protesters planned to rally in front of the offices of Bank of America, Amazon and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). In San Juan, Puerto Rico, they were marking the second anniversary of Hurricane Maria — a storm that scientists say was made more destructive by climate change. All of the strikers have expressed support for the Green New Deal, a sweeping Democratic proposal to combat global warming.
The strikes were planned largely by teenagers, in between soccer practices and studying for math exams, but a growing number of adults have begun to offer their support. New York and Boston public schools granted students permission to skip school for the strikes. For students in other districts, more than 600 physicians signed a “doctor’s note” that reads, “Their absence is necessary because of the climate crisis.”
Numerous companies, including Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia and the cosmetic company Lush, closed their doors in solidarity with the youth and encouraged employees to attend the Friday's strike.
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