In August, youth with Climate Action Families and Paw Cast Kids gathered to give testimony at a Port of Seattle Commission Meeting, advocating for reducing cruise sailings. This action continued the centering of youth voices that began in April at the Speak For Seas: Kids Call Out Cruise Rally & Press Conference.
The characters of The Walrax, Dr Dolphin & the Worker Whale made a reappearance, speaking in rhymes about why cruise ships are harmful & they really must go! Port Commissioners in the chambers that day seemed very impressed by the kids, with CM Hasegawa even wiping away a tear after Bianca spoke first, as The Walrax. One youth delivered drawings made during previous CAF monthly meetings, and the youngest speaker Treyvon, at just three years old, had the attention of everyone in the room. The testimonies can be watched on Seattle Cruise Control’s YouTube channel here.
Adult testimonies followed, including members of Seattle Cruise Control, Washington Physicians For Social Responsibility, Extinction Rebellion Seattle, People for Climate Action Seattle, South Seattle Climate Action Network, and the Seattle chapter of the International Council for Human Rights in the Philippines. The Commission also received around a dozen written comments supporting the youth and the call to annually reduce cruise sailings until they no longer pollute the air, water & climate. Send a pre-written email to the Port of Seattle here!
The kids had a great first experience of giving public comments. We finished off the outing with a picnic near the water. Check out this website to learn more about how cruise ships pollute our waters and air, endanger our health and climate, exploit onboard workers, and overwhelm destination communities.
Reporting by Stacy Oaks of Seattle Cruise Control
