Several thousand school students made their voices heard as Luxembourg joined the global movement protesting the lack of action on climate change. The strike in Luxembourg, part of the global #FridaysForFuture movement inspired by Greta Thunberg, had the approval of education minister Claude Meisch as well as local authorities and police. Luxembourg City even laid on free transport for the students so that they could gather at the Glacis before walking to place Guillaume II in the city centre to hear speakers address the crowd.

But the presence of one speaker, Pirate Party candidate for the European Parlianment elections Christian Welter, later drew the ire of the march organisers, Youth For Climate Luxembourg. They had asked political parties not to hijack the march and took offence when the Pirates posted Welter’s address to the crowd on social media using their party logo. “This was not a private appearance, but a party political appearance,” Youth For Climate Luxembourg said on its Facebook page. “If the subject is so close to your hearts as a party, then create opposition pressure in parliament, but don’t misuse the youth movement”.

Reports had suggested some 10,000 students would participate in the strike. Police estimated the crowd at around 7,000, but organisers talked up the numbers and on the Knuedler speakers were saying they should be proud that the local Youth For Climate Luxembourg movement, which had started with a meeting of just 3 founders, had attracted 15,000 for the demonstration.