Without a word on Donald Trump, the young Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg participated Friday in a small demonstration of young people on climate in front of the White House, outside the gates, before several weeks of mobilization in the United States and the 'UN. The 16-year-old is not as famous in the United States as she is in Europe, but her six-day visit to Washington will be marked by several honors, including an award from Amnesty on Monday and a congressional hearing. September 18, at the invitation of elected Democrats.
Not to mention a more media honor: her appearance on the set of The Daily Show in New York on Wednesday, when she again called on young people to mobilize to stop the warming of the Earth's climate, for lack of action by older politicians.
"I will not make speeches"
"Never give up," the activist said at the end of the demonstration in Washington, speaking for a few seconds to the few hundred young people who had gathered with the White House in the background. "We will continue, and see you next week, September 20th."
The Swede, arriving late August in New York, was the star of this first gathering in the US capital, but she stayed behind, telling reporters who wanted to talk to her that she did not want to be the center of attention, exactly as she did in New York two weeks ago. Surrounded by students and students chanting at the top of their voices "More coal, more oil, leave the carbon in the ground!", She timidly articulated the songs, in an inaudible voice, with the hand his famous sign "Skolstrejk för Klimatet ": school strike for the climate.
When the young leaders who organized the event asked her to join them at the microphone, she politely did no head back. Then she walked in silence, exchanging a few words with other young people, and accepting some selfies . Finally, one of the high school girls, Kallan Benson, asked her if she wanted to speak at the end, and "Greta", in sabbatical year, took the megaphone briefly. "I will not make speeches, I just want to say my gratitude to all of you, I'm proud of you.There are more people than I thought," said the high school student.
In the crowd, a person had brought a sign in Swedish and English: "Thank you Greta!" Another said, "As Greta says."