FERGUS – Three Centre Wellington District High School students are taking their political frustrations to the street with a Youth for Justice march on April 24 – and they hope other youth, and adults who support youth, will join in.
Abby Graham, Avaline Booth and Kyla Perry have each been involved with social justice initiatives at the school and had some experience with political involvement through their families as children.
But this year has really crystallized things for them.
Issues like climate change, the rising cost of living, out-of-reach housing costs, rising tuition fees in post-secondary education, Indigenous rights, trans rights, and mental health supports for youth have all taken on greater meaning throughout the pandemic.
“We see something that is wrong, and we want to do something about it,” said Perry. “And together we are so much stronger.
“What’s really cool is that Youth for Justice is about bringing youth together to give a voice. Adults don’t always take youth seriously.”
From left: Abby Graham, Kyla Perry and Avaline Booth discuss the march in a Zoom interview with the Advertiser on April 12.
Both Graham and Perry will be old enough to vote in the June and October elections and they are encouraging everyone who is old enough to think about voting too.
And they want politicians to listen to youth – even those who can’t vote yet.
“Politicians are not making policies with youth in mind,” Graham said.
“We are organizing the march to show youth that we have the power to create change in our community if we work together. And we want those running for office and those who will be voting to know their decisions are going to affect our future.”
Booth added, “We are organizing this event to show youth they have a voice, that their opinions are valued. We also want older generations to realize how powerful we really are and what we can do when we have the drive to make change.”
Participants are asked to congregate in the parking lot of Melville United Church, at 300 St. Andrew St. at 1:30pm on April 24.
Guest speakers will begin at 2pm and then the march will go through downtown streets for about an hour.
There will also be a few booths where participants can learn about how to register to vote and other ways to get involved in the upcoming elections.
The event runs rain or shine. Bring signs, noisemakers and your passion, organizers say.
“It will be big, loud, passionate and in your face,” said Perry. “It will be crazy and awesome.”
Learn more on Instagram @Youth4Justice.
