Draw the Line - September 20th, 2025

By Michael Kerfoot

Last year a number of Eco Elders for Climate Action (EECA) organized an October 1st climate rally, initiated by the national Seniors for Climate committee. It went well - there were speakers, a flash mob, tables for related organizations, and some direct action.

 

This year, Seniors For Climate joined a large coalition of groups across the country calling for a national day of action on September 20th, 2025, to Draw the Line. EECA started organizing.  We soon learned that a few hundred organizations were joining together and going global. The scope expanded. Soon 5 demands evolved: end the era of fossil fuels, uphold indigenous sovereignty, support migrant rights, end corporate greed and the prioritization of profits over people, and end the war machine. Everything is related, and so we embraced these 5 demands, and formed an organizing committee made up of representatives and organizations that could speak to each of them.

September 20th was very hot and sunny.

We had a Piikani elder offer an opening prayer to ground us.  An EECA settler member shared a land acknowledgement, rooted in a commitment to reconciliation. The Calgary Climate Hub's Executive Director reviewed the 5 demands.

Then, an EECA member made the call to action, and led us on a march - out and back one block on Stephen Ave - the pedestrian street across from us, lined with government and corporate offices. Drumming, singing, chanting, with signs - in the shade of the buildings on a very hot day. 

Then speakers:

  • an EECA member on behalf of all concerned seniors

  • a climate activist and leader 

  • a labour rights leader

  • an organizer with a Filipino migrant rights group

  • a Palestinian academic/activist

  • a Calgary Climate Hub youth organizer

Perhaps up to 300 people attended. People shared. People cared.

We hear from time to time that rallies are meaningless. That they don't achieve much. We joined our collective voices on that day to affirm our causes, and to affirm our community. These moments build bridges across equity movements, and help to expand a movement that is connected, hopeful, and powerful. Because we truly are, stronger together!