Protests by various groups wherever United Nations Climate Change Conferences are held are common and the currently ongoing COP 21 in Paris is no different. This time however instead of protestors bearing placards and other signage meant to spur governments into action, something rather unique was seen outside Paris’ Place de la Republique which is the venue for the this year. We saw shoes instead of people! And some very illustrious personages decided to lend their voices to the protest as well!
The shoes are marching for us
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“The shoes are marching for us,” said René Stroh of Paris, one of the protesters who are trying to get governments to come to an agreement, to prevent disasters such as the melting of ice caps, the intensification of extreme climates and disasters such as floods and droughts. However, in the wake of the recent Paris bombings, the protesters were not permitted to gather at the venue. Undeterred, they decided to make a statement that sent out their message while keeping to the letter of the law as well. They couldn’t be there so they sent their shoes instead!
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It is hoped that the 12 day event will see treaties that result in changes that could help slow down if not reverse climate change.
Some very illustrious shoes join the protest
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Sneakers are neatly lined up with formal brogues; smart stilettos appear next to cool sandals. Among there are a pair of sober black brogues that were sent in by Pope Francis, a known advocate of climate change prevention and awareness. The Pope sent in his shoes as a way to express his solidarity with the protesters demanding climate change action by the dignitaries gathered in Paris.
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The shoes of Ban Ki Moon, General Secretary of the UN also joined the protesting shoes in a bid to support the demands of the marchers of Paris’s unique shoe march.
Author: Reena Daruwalla
