I think you need to talk to more than one girl about that… really depends on the procedure, your sensitivity down there and the competence of the gynaecologist. I’ve been to appointments that were fine and I’ve been there near crying from pain…

We were all ready to discuss the politics of climate and climate justice. A talk about the justice of support for countries in Africa dealing with natural disasters while they are responsible for less than 4% of emissions was very well received. The “politics” was someone asking to free palestine and telling us not to vote for the biggest green social party because they are not doing enough for oppressed people. I think we can rightfully say that was too off-topic for this march.

I see many people saying this, and claiming that therefore any protest or attempt at doing anything for the environment is futile. But although it will be hard, protest and change is also necessary. In the Netherlands, aggresive protests have already ensured that fossil subsidies (38 billion euros of subsidies to companies that work with fossil fuels) are a major talking point for the upcoming election. Doing nothing isn’t an option anymore.

I was there and the interruption happened only a short while after she said everyone deserves a voice. All the guy did was ask to put the focus back from polarizing views to the main goal of the day, a march for a better and more just climate policy. Let’s hope this message comes across with at least 70.000 people marching!