Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has lent her support to school students who will go on strike next week to protest against the global climate crisis.
However, when asked to react to suggestions that students in Edinburgh could face police action for joining the global climate strike on Friday 20 September - a school day - she said this was a matter for the police.
The matter was raised at First Minister’s Questions this afternoon, where Green MSP Andy Wightman referred to “media reports that young people may face arrest or be locked up”.
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Mr Wightman asked: “Does she agree with me that this is nonsense, that no young person will face such action for exercising their rights to peaceful protest, and that we should all reassure young people that they have the right to protest, and that they should be encouraged and supported to exercise it?”
Ms Sturgeon replied: “Obviously, issues around arrest and criminal justice generally are, in this particular instance, for the police and it would be thoroughly inappropriate for me to comment on operational matters.”
The first minister added: “Generally speaking, in relation to the climate strikers, I’ve made very clear in the past my views - they are views that accord very closely to Andy Wightman’s.
“I think it is actually very positive, very heartening, very uplifting, to see the younger generation feel so passionate about climate change that they are prepared to protest and make their views known in the way they are.
“And I would hope that all of us would listen to that and take account of what the younger generation are telling us. I know this government is, and I hope governments across the world do.”
Ms Sturgeon also said: “I wish those who are taking part in the protests next Friday the very best.”
