On Sunday, hundreds of people protested in the German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen to demand action against climate change. The leaders of the G7 (group of 7) are meeting near there.
On Sunday, the leaders of the G7 (the US, Germany, France, Britain, Japan, Italy, and Canada) started a 3-day meeting in the Bavarian mountains. The main topic of the meeting will be the war in Ukraine.
Several speakers spoke to the protesters asking for more action against climate change and less weapons for war.
One of the protesters, Theresa Stoeckl, said that she was protesting so she can have a good future.
Seven protesters held up a sign that said “stop burning our planet”. They were wearing traditional Bavarian clothes and masks that looked like the G7 leaders. The protestors in masks also held big, German beer mugs while barbecuing a model of Earth.
Benedikt Doennwagen says he doesn’t like that the heads of seven countries make decisions for the entire world. He says that their decisions aren’t always good for the world.
Erich Utz, another protester, thinks that G7 leaders should include young people in their meetings and when they make decisions. Utz thinks that the leaders are old and should ask young people what they want.
People thought that around 1,000 people would attend the protest. However, police say that only around 250 showed up on Sunday. Carolin Englert, the police spokesperson, told Reuters that they think more people will come, but they have to wait and see.
A group of women protesters waving Ukrainian flags were also there. They want the G7 to completely embargo Russia. Ilya Bakhovskyy said that they were there to remind people and the heads of the G7 that the war in Ukraine is still happening.
On Saturday, in nearby Munich, around 4,000 people protested. They want the G7 leaders to fight poverty, climate change and world hunger.
On Monday, a small group of protesters are allowed to gather 500 meters from the castle where the G7 meeting is.
VOCABULARY
- Protest – to say you don’t like something, to fight against, to object, disagree
- Demand – to request very strongly, to require
- Bavaria – A state in the south of Germany
- Several – some; more than 2, but not many
- Climate change – the fast change in weather happening around the world
- Mug – a large cup with a handle
- Model – a replica, a copy, an imitation, a 3D example
- Earth – the planet/world we live on
- Head – leader, top person, boss
- Wave – to move back and forth, to swing
- Embargo – to ban trade and business, to block or stop business and deliveries
- Poverty – the condition or situation or being very poor, to live with no money
- Castle – a large, beautiful building for kings and queens
Original story from Reuters below:
