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.
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.
NYCs massive #ClimateStrike march has begun, from Foley Sq down Centre St to Chambers St across to Broadway... and down to the Battery! Thank you @ClimateCrisis and everyone else marching! pic.twitter.com/WUpeRP0ZQS
— Gale A. Brewer (@galeabrewer) September 20, 2019
An estimated 100,000 people in Berlin on #ClimateStrike. Today is massive pic.twitter.com/kSS7NulTx0
— Brian Kahn (@blkahn) September 20, 2019
Raleigh, North Carolina
— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) September 20, 2019
Youth Climate Strike#ClimateAction #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/OCIXjyl6Us
Climate strikes also took place in Nairobi, Dublin, Islamabad, Mumbai and Melbourne, according to Mother Jones.
Democratic presidential candidates like former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenFive examples of media's sycophancy for Biden on inauguration week Drastic measures for drastic times — caregiver need mobile health apps Boycott sham impeachment MORE, Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenCancel culture comes for the moderates Biden expands on Obama ethics pledge Student loan forgiveness would be windfall for dentists, doctors and lawyers MORE (D-Mass.) and entrepreneur Andrew Yang
Andrew YangYang to quarantine after campaign staffer tests positive for COVID-19 Andrew Yang sparks Twitter uproar with pro-bodega video Yang announces run for New York City mayor MORE all offered messages of support to the protesters. Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersBoycott sham impeachment Sunday shows - Biden agenda, Trump impeachment trial dominate Sanders: Senate may use budget reconciliation to pass Biden agenda MORE (I-Vt.), another White House hopeful, spoke at a climate strike rally in Greensboro, N.C.
.@BernieSanders stopped by the #ClimateStrike in Greensboro, NC pic.twitter.com/pm0Q2jyLXI
— Ari Rabin-Havt (@AriRabinHavt) September 20, 2019
Inspired by the courage and determination of young people across the world as they take to the streets for today’s #ClimateStrike. Climate change is an existential threat that we cannot wait to address. It's up to all of us to take action—future generations are counting on us.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 20, 2019
Climate change is an existential threat, and we are running out of time—but I have hope. I have hope thanks to the young people participating in the #ClimateStrike. I have hope thanks to the people I meet who are committed to making big, structural change to save our planet. pic.twitter.com/nIiTmHriLf
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 19, 2019
The #climatestrike is a beautiful act of humanity. https://t.co/VHkMGU03Bw
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) September 20, 2019
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.
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 pic.twitter.com/9C8SE5kSxZ
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 20, 2019
