FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25 SEPTEMBER 2019
UVIC STUDENTS’ SOCIETY ENDORSES STUDENT WALKOUT FOR CLIMATE
Students at UVic to join September 27th Global Climate Strike.
Victoria, BC – The UVic Students’ Society (UVSS) Board of Directors unanimously voted in favour of endorsing the UVic Student Walkout to join the Global Climate Strike at 11am on Friday, September 27th.
The strike is organized by the leaders of the UVSS’s Divest UVic campaign following a week of action on campus, titled “Divestfest.” This week of events coincides with the Global Week of Climate Action and targets the removal of UVic’s nearly $40 million investment in fossil fuels.
Students at UVic join increasing global demands for action on climate change. UVic has ignored calls to divest from fossil fuels from students, staff, and alumni since 2013. This mass student walkout will demonstrate to the University that students will not stand idly by as they profit from the destruction of the planet. “It is socially and fiscally irresponsible for UVic to maintain nearly $40 million invested in fossil fuels,” says Juliet Watts, UVSS Director of Campaigns and Community Relations.
The week features a protest at the UVic Board of Governors meeting and a panel on Indigenous Law on Tuesday afternoon, an Environmental Fair on Wednesday afternoon, and a community picnic on Thursday. “This week has given us an opportunity to put into action the values that students across the globe are standing up for, and make it clear that these values are present here on campus,” adds Shay lynn Sampson, UVSS Director of Events.
Students are encouraged to walk out of classes on Friday September 27th at 11am, meet outside the Student Union Building (SUB), and travel downtown together for the Global Climate Strike at the Legislature.
-30-
The University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS) was established in 1964 and represents the 18,000 undergraduate students at the University of Victoria.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Contact: Juliet Watts, Director of Campaigns and Community Relations
Phone: 250-317-4722
Email: campaigns@uvss.ca