Community Corner

U.S. Climate Strike: Thunberg Speaks In NYC To Wrap Up Day

A climate strike happening across the U.S. coincides with global demonstrations scheduled ahead of a UN Climate Action Summit.

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Students gather in John Marshall Park for the Global Climate Strike protests on September 20, 2019 in Washington, United States. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
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People gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building as part of the Global Climate Strike protests on September 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
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Young activists and their supporters rally for action on climate change on September 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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.

Find out what's happening in Across Americafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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.

Find out what's happening in Across Americafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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.

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.

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.

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

Boston:

Philadelphia:

Texas:

Washington D.C.:

Los Angeles:

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

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