NASHUAE – New Hampshire residents gathered in cities and towns across the state for a coordinated day of climate strikes. These come after a summer of increased flooding, extreme drought, and intense heat waves in the United States and across the world. Organizers of these strikes recognized that with the November election just around the corner, now is the time to take action and demand change.

Activists gathered in Nashua on a street corner near the site of a proposed asphalt plant. They held signs that read “Asphalt Kills,” and “No Asphalt Plant on Temple Street.” The proposed asphalt plant would be built right behind a low-income housing development, in a community with schools, churches, and a large population of people of color, and low income residents.

Kristy Besada of Nashua helped organize the strike. She said, “As a faith leader and a parent in this community, I am extremely concerned about the ways our neglect and abuse of the planet will affect this and future generations. The time to act is now.”

In Manchester, a small group of activists stood on South Willow Street near the Mall of New Hampshire, with signs that said “Climate Justice Now” and “Coal Kills.” Organizers of the visibility event said one of their goals is to get more people involved in climate organizing in New Hampshire, so we can influence change on a larger scale.

“We held this climate strike because it is past time to protect our most vulnerable communities and prepare for the worsening climate crisis,” said Dominic Osmund, 350NH Electoral Fellow. “Today, we call on Governor Sununu to stop standing in the way of climate solutions. We will vote him out because of his inaction on climate.”

In Hanover, activists gathered in front of the Dartmouth College Green to call for climate solutions. Their signs and discussion covered: stopping new fossil fuel projects, establishing a just transition to renewable energy, and exploring climate reparations for those most impacted by the crisis.

“The state of politics in New Hampshire is very pro-fossil fuel,” said James Graham, 350NH Board member and Upper Valley resident. “New Hampshire is behind every other State in the region when it comes to preparing for a sustainable, fossil-fuel-free future. With the coming election, it’s important to keep people focused on the failures of the current government and the need for action on climate change.”

In Bow, students organized a strike to demand a shutdown date of the last coal plant in NH just four miles away near the Community Center. Workers and community members should not suffer the ill effects of this coal plant any longer – it is time to stop polluting Bow and heal the wounds caused by coal.

Preesha Chatterjee, a student at Bow High School and Youth Fellow with 350NH led the organizing for this strike. She said, “It’s not okay that our community and planet has to suffer for the coal plant to keep running in Bow. Our climate strike pushes for a transition into renewable energy and away from coal energy in NH.”

350 New Hampshire Action and community members across the state organized these strikes to demand climate justice. These climate strikes are not the first to happen in New Hampshire and they won’t be the last. Organizers want to see elected officials take climate change seriously, close the coal plant in Bow, establish a climate action plan, and rectify the environmental injustices happening around the state. Organizers are working to elect climate champions on November 8th and kick out the climate deniers in office so they can make these hopes a reality.

For more information about 350 New Hampshire Action, go to 350nhaction.org.

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