ACROSS AMERICA — Activist Greta Thunberg spoke in Battery Park in New York City around 5 p.m. to cap off a day of worldwide protests calling for climate justice. The 16 year old Swedish environmentalist was one of the main organizers of the massive event.
In an effort to draw greater attention to the global climate crisis, Americans across the nation are walking out of their schools and places of work to demand an end to fossil fuels and reductions in corporate pollution and environmental destruction.
The climate protests are scheduled to take place from today until Sept. 27, and the multi-day event is expected to be one of the largest environmental protests ever.
The estimated number in New York is over 250’000! They closed the park because there were too many people… I’m speaking soon at Battery Park. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/YOD80SxHaa
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 20, 2019
.@gretathunberg speaking straight truths at the #ClimateStrike in NYC. #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/X8YBsBrTug
— Jᴇʀᴇᴍʏ Cʜᴀɴ-Kʀᴀᴜsʜᴀʀ (@JChanKraushar) September 20, 2019
The international protest comes days before the United Nations Climate Action Summit taking place on Sept. 23 in New York City, where leaders from government, business, and civil society are expected to address the global climate emergency.
Millions of people walked out of their schools, workplaces, and homes in solidarity, and gathered together in hundreds of events across the U.S.
Students from Montgomery County, Maryland are cheered on as they arrive at the #ClimateStrike!#FaithsForFuture #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/2dCgSBuw0I
— Sisters of Mercy (@SistersofMercy) September 20, 2019
The protests in Silver Spring, Maryland, got a holy addition this morning, as a group of nuns from The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas joined in on the local walkout, before heading into Washington D.C. “Caring for Earth is one of our 5 Critical Concerns and we have been inspired as youth around the world have been standing up to take action,” a spokesperson said.
Mercy Sisters and Associates in Silver Spring, Maryland joining a community event before heading into Washington DC for the #ClimateStrike!#FaithsForFuture pic.twitter.com/HDfsqVSTK3
— Sisters of Mercy (@SistersofMercy) September 20, 2019
The climate strike in New York City was one of the largest, with students leading the charge through the Big Apple streets. The city’s 1.1 million students were allowed to skip school today to join the strike without being penalized.
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Meet Molly and Fiona, 15 year olds of Rockland County. Their principal wouldn’t excuse their absences but they still showed up for the strike. “We want to be able to live on an Earth that’s clean and safe,” says Molly, who was in a climate club in elementary school. pic.twitter.com/2mQDXI9AiM
— Sydney Pereira (@sydneyp1234) September 20, 2019
Here for @NYC_Patch covering the #ClimateStrike in NYC. Crowds starting to gather at Foley Square. pic.twitter.com/SkLDJO9Dmg
— Sydney Pereira (@sydneyp1234) September 20, 2019
Along with New York City, Washington D.C. had one of the biggest turnouts in the country, as young activists descended on John Marshall Park before marching to Capitol Hill.
LIVE NOW: Global Climate Strike and March – Young climate activists march from John Marshall Park in Washington D.C. to the Capitol to call attention to the climate crisis.https://t.co/D1sjfipdHs pic.twitter.com/drOsk3xY5V
— CBS 42 (@CBS_42) September 20, 2019
Here’s a roundup of what the protests across the U.S. looked like.
Boston:
Boston! Strike because
The kids have asked us to
We stand by the science
Earth is our only home
Climate justice is a human right#FridaysForFuture #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/Qv0mIwDdnx
— Julia Milton (@yuliamilton) September 20, 2019
Philadelphia:
#ClimateStrike in philadelphia! thank you @GretaThunberg for inspiring us all. pic.twitter.com/M6I8vKr7Zs
— foonie thee pony (@fifimcfae) September 20, 2019
Texas:
#ClimateStrike #Austin Let’s listen to what the younger generation is telling us. https://t.co/HXn3LJvSJx
— Noelita L. Lugo, MSSW (@NoelitaLugo) September 20, 2019
Washington D.C.:
Proud Rep McGovern of MA is standing with Climate Strikers! #ClimateStrike #ClimateAction @IndActonMa @RepLoriTrahan @JamieEldridgeMA #mapoli pic.twitter.com/zT4J3XuQQ8
— JMW (@JeanieOsc) September 20, 2019
Los Angeles:
#GlobalClimateStrike #LosAngeles pic.twitter.com/z62eJXmJAW
— March & Rally Los Angeles (@marchnrallyla) September 20, 2019
Here’s other Patch coverage on the environmental protest:
Climate Protests Across New Hampshire About To Begin
NYC Climate Strike: Thousands To Demand Climate Action
Austin Climate Strike: Crowds Descend On Texas Capitol
Climate At Crossroads Sends Santa Clara Co. Singing, Marching