By Sanya Wason

“We demand divestment!” was loudly heard across Hornbake Plaza on Monday as the student organization 17 for Peace and Justice gathered its members. 

The club demanded environmental justice this Earth Day, including the University of Maryland’s divestment, or separation from, major fossil fuel companies. 

Elena Rangelov, the co-president of 17PJ and a sophomore computer science major, said the club wanted to protest against UMD’s greenwashing of Earth Day. 

Greenwashing is the act of a large institution marketing the idea that they practice sustainability for profit. However, according to 17PJ, greenwashing is problematic, especially when large companies drill for oil on indigenous land, heavily polluting surrounding areas.

“Environmental justice means minority voices are lifted up and heard during decision making,” Rangelov said. “We just wanna show UMD that we are still here.”

The organization made posters to hand out to members and onlookers alike. 

Sophie Bose, the club’s social media director and a sophomore environmental science and policy major, explained her inspiration for the posters was to demand that UMD decarbonize the campus. 

“We hope that the university actually takes it seriously and commits to decarbonization; it’s very doable,” Bose said. 

There were many passionate speakers at the event, including a freshman aerospace engineering major who asked to be anonymous, but said he is associated with UMD’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America.

“It’s important to know that all these struggles are connected; we can’t really fight one without fighting against the others,” he said.  

During and after the speeches, the protesters took it upon themselves to chalk statements on the plaza. 

“The university likes to greenwash Earth Day and pretend that they’re doing good things,” said Sophia Kotschoubey, senior environmental science major, while writing “DIVEST” on the walkway in chalk.  

Although Kotschoubey is not a member of 17PJ,  she said this movement is important to her because it is “important to reclaim Earth Day.” 

“Dissociate from big oil,” Bose screamed, “it’s more than just going green and recycling.”

The protest lasted about an hour, drawing in many people passing by. Multiple students stopped to listen to a speech, grab a piece of chalk or hold a poster. 

“The use of fossil fuels isn’t just an environmental issue,” Bose said. “It’s a human justice issue.” 

Featured Image: Students protesting at Hornbake Plaza. Photo by Sanya Wason.