Thousands Of Coloradans Strike For Climate Action

In an effort to draw greater attention to the global climate crisis, youth from around the world and across the United States planned strikes on Friday to demand an end to fossil fuels and reductions in corporate pollution and environmental destruction.

Thousands of Coloradans of all ages walked out of their schools, workplaces and homes in solidarity with the global movement and gathered at Union Station in Denver Friday morning. The protesters then marched down 16th Street Mall to the Colorado State Capitol.

In Boulder, community members gathered at Norlin Quadrangle, 1600 Pleasant St, and other locations.

"Together, we will sound the alarm and show our politicians that business as usual is no longer an option," reads the official Global Climate Strike Page. "The climate crisis won't wait, so neither will we."

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. The climate strike was full swing in New York City, 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.

Along with New York City, Washington D.C. had one of the largest expected turnouts in the country, as young activists descended on John Marshall Park before marching to Capitol Hill.

The climate protests are scheduled to take place until Sept. 27, and the multi-day event is expected to be one of the largest environmental protests ever.

Here's a roundup of what the protests across the U.S. look like.