Hundreds of thousands turn out in New York, other major cities for climate marches

By John Bowden - 09/20/19 02:51 PM EDT
 

Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities around the world Friday to demand action from world governments on climate change.

Video of demonstrations in New York, San Francisco, Berlin and several other cities showed city streets teeming with protesters. Some estimates put the total attendance at strikes around the world in the millions.

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Berlin and New York each had crowds estimated at more than 100,000 each, while thousands also turned out in Austin, Texas, Raleigh, N.C., and Washington, D.C.

The demonstrations garnered large followings on social media as well, with #ClimateStrike topping the list of U.S. Twitter trends. Another hashtag used by the movement, #ClimateAction, was near the top of the list Friday afternoon.

Climate strikes also took place in Nairobi, Dublin, Islamabad, Mumbai and Melbourne, according to Mother Jones.

Democratic presidential candidates like former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenSome Sanders top allies have urged him to withdraw from 2020 race: report Sunday shows preview: As coronavirus spreads in the U.S., officials from each sector of public life weigh in Trump defends firing of intel watchdog, calling him a 'disgrace' MORE, Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenDemocrats seize on Trump's firing of intelligence community watchdog Biden says his administration could help grow 'bench' for Democrats Overnight Health Care: CDC recommends face coverings in public | Resistance to social distancing sparks new worries | Controversy over change of national stockpile definition | McConnell signals fourth coronavirus bill MORE (D-Mass.) and entrepreneur Andrew YangAndrew YangAndrew Yang: Calling coronavirus 'China virus' only used to incite 'hostility' Andrew Yang to launch issues-based podcast Majority of young Americans support universal basic income, public healthcare: poll MORE all offered messages of support to the protesters. Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersSome Sanders top allies have urged him to withdraw from 2020 race: report We're at war and need wartime institutions to keep our economy producing what's necessary Larry David: Bernie Sanders should drop out of 2020 race MORE (I-Vt.), another White House hopeful, spoke at a climate strike rally in Greensboro, N.C.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who has led youth climate strikes across Europe, is slated to speak Friday at the New York City rally in Battery Park following her trip to Washington, where she sat with protesters on the steps of the Supreme Court.

"The preliminary numbers say there are at least 3 million people in today’s #ClimateStrike And that is before counting North and South America!! To be updated... #FridaysForFuture," she tweeted Friday.

Tags Austin New York City Washington D.C. Kenya Pakistan Ireland Elizabeth Warren Bernie Sanders Andrew Yang Joe Biden New York North Carolina Texas Climate change demonstrations Global warming