For almost a year now, a group of locals and students have dedicated the afternoon of the first Friday of the month to striking to demand action for climate change. 

Steve Monhar has worked along with on campus student groups to collaborate and bring other voices to the conversation including groups such as Commons College and Campus Kitchens Project. 

The Vigil seeks to end carbon emissions that are man made, being the largest contributing force on the changing climate; taken right out of Greta Thurnberg’s playbook. 

The individuals that strike on the corner of Main and Park Street every month know this goal is almost impossible for a small group in Canton but know that it is only a starting spot.

Ethan Hejina ‘22 said that “since I’ve been back at school the climate issue has been more in my face than ever, but real change isn’t going to come from one person, it is going to have to come from entire governments and large corporations… so small starting points like the vigil seem to be ever more important to get the attention of our Reps.” 

With this past week’s events, including the summit at the United Nations and the Global Climate Strike on the 20th, climate action has been brought to the forefront of the news, and this local vigil hopes to ride some of the coat tails from the buzz around this. 

Being a local, easy, and commitment free way to get involved in the vigil asks for anyone and everyone to come out or at least have a conversation in your day. The vigil feels that it is important to uphold dignity, respect and inclusion through its efforts. 

The next upcoming vigil is on Friday, October 4, at 4 in the afternoon until 5 PM, on the corner of Park and Main Street, bring out your own recycled signs! 

The vigil is looking for a larger presence on Fridays to help hold the group’s new Earth flags. Come out and hear words from community members and students. 

 Following this upcoming  vigil there will be an event afterwards at the Barn Good Thrift Store behind the Java House hosted by Commons College. The event is to continue conversations while enjoying some live music, words of hope and light refreshments. 

If your group on campus is interested in getting more involved or hearing from the vigil organizers, please feel free to reach out to Ryan Dupuis at rrdupu17@stlawu.edu.