The Society of Fearless Grandmothers held its second monthly Shoe Strike for Climate Justice on Aug. 29. There were 645 pairs of shoes on display, donated by people who, but for the pandemic, would be demonstrating in person to demand climate justice.
Tiny pairs of children’s sandals, big cowboy boots, women’s 4-inch patent leather pumps, hiking boots, Crocs, work boots, men’s dress shoes — shoes of every shape and size filled the patio and steps outside the County Administration Building.
The message to elected officials is climate justice now. The Society of Fearless Grandmothers calls for elected officials at all levels of government to:
• Deny any new permits for fossil fuel projects.
• Focus responses to the COVID-19 crisis on a just transition from the fossil fuel economy.
• Protect people and the environment, not corporate profit.
• End systemic oppression to stop the long history of racial and economic injustice.
Shoe strikes are a COVID-safe means of holding a demonstration without the need for large in-person gatherings. To avoid in-person viewing of the shoe display, images of the Strike for Climate Justice are posted on fearlessgrandmotherssb.org, Facebook: fearlessgrandmotherssb and Twitter: @FGSantaBarbara.
Shoe Strikes will be held on the last Saturday of each month. After the last Shoe Strike, shoes will be donated to charity and any athletic shoes that cannot be accepted for donation will be recycled.