Truckee Students Lead a Climate Shoe Strike

On September 25th, TEA students participated in the Global Day Of Climate Action, called for by the international youth climate group, Fridays for Future

While COVID-19 posed a problem for striking in large groups, TEA students collaborated with Sierra Expeditionary Learning School (SELS) and Truckee High School (THS) students to find an alternative; a Climate Shoe Strike.

Students planned shoe drives at all three schools and each school created a unique banner. On Friday, a small group of students set up the shoes to symbolically stand-in for people.

Rather than a protest, this event was more of an artistic expression of climate justice and youth movements for a stable climate and a clean and healthy planet.

It had an amazing outcome with over 100 shoes and a diverse group of passer-bys. After the strike, the shoes were donated to Soles 4 Souls, a charity that sends shoes to developing countries. The students logged this strike on Fridays For Future so it will be represented among the global movement of student voices.

It had an amazing outcome with over 100 shoes and a diverse group of passer-bys. After the strike, the shoes were donated to Soles 4 Souls, a charity that sends shoes to developing countries. The students logged this strike on Fridays For Future so it will be represented among the global movement of student voices.

Leading this event gave me the opportunity to network with other student leaders and become more involved in the Truckee community. It strengthened my passion to bring change and climate action. Although not all of the students and TEA community were able to attend like last year’s strike, I think that this Global Day Of Climate Action brought much awareness and discussion about this pressing crisis.  

Written by Caroline Sandberg, TEA senior & Environmental Club president

 

 

"I was so proud of our students for this powerful, statement-making, art installation. Thank you to everyone who contributed shoes." - TEA Parent

Donation bins for shoes at the strike
A student holding a shoe
A shoe with a note that reads: Lets leave our kids a livable world!
Two students holding a sign that says 'Consequences'
Students leading a shoe strike for climate change