Thousands march for climate justice in Midtown on Sept. 17.
Photo by Dean Moses
Thousands of people marched through Midtown, Manhattan on Sunday in hopes of pushing President Joe Biden and other world leaders into taking action on climate change.
The message was loud and clear as a sea of humanity flooded from 56th Street and Broadway toward the United Nations, where the General Assembly will meet this week. Activists young and old implored Biden to enact a state of emergency in relation to climate change. Banging drums, raising fists, and lugging banners, marchers did all they could to ensure their voices were heard.
“Hey, ho, ho, fossil fuels have got to go,” chants rang out amidst the pounding of drums and screams.
Activists specifically called for American leaders to stop the use of oil and gas — said to be causing the most damage to the environment — by denying approvals for new drilling and fossil fuel-based projects.
Renowned actress and vocal climate activist Susan Sarandon joined protesters as they made their way to the United Nations, and championed the youth for leading the fight against climate change.
“All of this energy is what’s being brought, especially by the youth. Look at these kids,” Sarandon said. “Yes, give them a hand of applause because they have the energy. It is their future that’s on the line and they are not Democrats. They are not Republicans. They are independent people who go for what needs to be fixed and are not slaves to any party and are going to create the world that we need, and they know what’s going on much more than I did when I was getting arrested at your age,”
Ending at 51st Street and First Avenue, in the shadow of the United Nations, protesters gathered around a stage erected in the middle of the roadway that housed musical performances and speeches demanding immediate and decisive action.
Speakers included U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Vanessa…
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