The group kept chanting, and then stopped to listen to Phillip and Cedar.
“I cannot believe you all came,” Phillip called out, choking on the words, “We really appreciate you.”
As he spoke, Mr. Bausch showed up behind the group, followed by several adults in nice clothes.
“… You must have some belief in us, in Cedar, and in the magic of these woods to get up so early and come out here,” Phillip called.
Cedar looked up and out on the crowd. She said, “We know little about how our environment is tied to us all. Maybe not as strongly as I am to this place, but each one of us is intricately tied to our water, our land, our home. By helping protect this forest, you protect not only my home, but yours. Our forests clean our air, they take our anxiety away, they teach us about nature and resilience, about renewal and strength. All of which I have needed in recent days, and we will all need often in our lives.”
The group encircled Stella, listening, building in numbers. More people trickled in, gathering around the towering tree.
“This is only the beginning. We will need to fight to make sure this forest is not cut down, for me but also for you, and we all need to work together to protect forests and habitats everywhere.”
As she spoke Cedar was electric. The crowd listened raptly as her fearless eyes stared out at them. Her strength seemed to be shooting out, reaching like branches into their eyes and hearts and minds.