MINORS STRIKE
Three teens arrested following climate change demonstration today as thousands of truanting schoolkids walk out of class
Youngsters chanted "f*** Theresa May" and clambered on Winston Churchill's statue in Parliament Square
THREE teenagers were arrested in central London today as thousands of children bunked off to protest against climate change.
Youngsters swigged booze, chanted "f*** Theresa May" and clambered on Winston Churchill's statue in Parliament Square - one of 60 protests across the country.
17
A boy of 17 was held on suspicion of a public order offence and a 19 year old for obstructing a public highway, Scotland Yard have said.
A girl of 15 was seen in handcuffs after she was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.
Cops said she was later "de-arrested".
Threats were made that parents of the absent children would be handed a £60 fine.
Despite Britain leading the way on slashing greenhouse gases, armies of green day strikers played truant from school moaning that the Government are not doing enough.
But their teen eco-angst could hit their parents in the pocket with some furious school heads threatening £60 fines for unauthorised absence.
CLIMATE EMERGENCY
Youth Strike 4 Climate organisers say protests took place in 60 towns and cities across the country in the face of "an alarming lack of Government leadership" on climate change.
Theresa May slammed thousands of young people staging a mass walk-out, which blocked the road outside Parliament.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "Everybody wants young people to be engaged in the issues that affect them most so that we can build a brighter future for all of us.
"But it is important to emphasise that disruption increases teachers' workloads and wastes lesson time that teachers have carefully prepared for."
YOUNG PEOPLE DEMAND SAY IN CLIMATE POLICY
Students are demanding the Government declare a climate emergency and say young people should be involved in policy making as they have the biggest stake in the future.
That is despite Britain cutting greenhouse gases by 42 per cent since 1990 - faster than almost every other major nation.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds warned students not to miss lessons - but some councils backed the strikes.
He said: "Missing class won't do a thing to help the environment; all they will do is create extra work for teachers."
Increases teachers' workloads and wastes lesson time
Downing Street spokesman
Anna Taylor, of UK Student Climate Network, said: "We're running out of time for meaningful change, and that's why we're seeing young people around the world rising up to hold their governments to account on their dismal climate records."
Energy minister Claire Perry told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm incredibly proud of the young people in the UK who are highly educated about this issue and feel very strongly.
But added: "I do hope that anyone missing school today does get their work and their homework done."
Some teenage eco-warriors in the capital ditched their “Global warming isn’t cool” placards and started partying and downing cans of cider instead.
Izzy Salt, 17, of Wandsworth, South West London, bunked off from £14,000-a-year Hurtwood House private school to protest.
She said: “All my friends have been drinking. Everybody is just having a good time.
"They are celebrating that this is the first time that people my age can finally protest about something we care about.”
Protester Lauren Wright, 16, added: “The revolution will be soon. We’ve had enough of corporations.”
Asked about Government measures to reduce carbon emissions, she added: “F*** climate change. They are not doing enough. We want change and we want it now.”
Another teenager said youngsters must “rise up” against adults and homework.
She added: “The future of our planet is in our hands. Why have we waited until there’s 12 years of the world left?”
MOST READ IN NEWS
The strikes come in the wake of a UN report which warns of global temperature rising to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, and advises cutting global carbon dioxide emissions by almost half within 12 years.
Jeremy Corbyn, the Green party and Lib Dems backed the strike.
Students are set to follow up on February's action with a second round of strikes taking place on March 15.
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
Panties and punk link to leaders
By Ben Leo
PRIVILEGED organisers behind the Youth Strike 4 Climate protests include the son of millionaire punk fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.
Joe Corre, 51, founded lingerie company Agent Provocateur and is a key figure in campaign group Extinction Rebellion.
His dad was Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren.
Pal Jake Woodier, a former turtle conservation ranger, is lead organiser at Extinction.
The full-time protester, 26, ran a vegan café in Somerset and now lives in Brighton.
Fellow plotter Roger Hallam, 52, is researching a PhD in “effective radical campaigning”.
He went on hunger strike in 2017 over King’s College London’s investment in fossil fuels.
Another, Janine O’Keeffe, insists pupils strike until 3pm before adults “do civil disobedience, such as blocking roads”.
Others include Robert Possnett, 57, who claims he will run a soup kitchen for starving Brits after Brexit.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.