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 BidenPence: It's not a "foregone conclusion" that lawmakers impeach Trump Warren, Buttigieg fight echoes 2004 campaign, serves as warning for 2020 race Trump: Giuliani to deliver report on Ukraine trip to Congress, Barr MORE, Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenTrump calls Warren 'Pocahontas,' knocks wealth tax Warren, Buttigieg fight echoes 2004 campaign, serves as warning for 2020 race Democrats battle for Hollywood's cash MORE (D-Mass.) and entrepreneur Andrew YangAndrew YangYang expands campaign with senior hires for digital operations Biden: All-white debate not representative of party, but 'you can't dictate' nominee Delaney to DNC: Open second debate stage for candidates who qualified for past events MORE all offered messages of support to the protesters. Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersWarren, Buttigieg fight echoes 2004 campaign, serves as warning for 2020 race Democrats battle for Hollywood's cash Sanders, Omar to hit campaign trail in New Hampshire 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