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Equipped with all manner of banners and signs, thousands of people, spearheaded by students, descended on the National Mall and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Friday as part of the global climate strike being waged over the next week. Many of the protesters assembled this morning just north of the Mall, at John Marshall Park, proceeded east along Pennsylvania Avenue NW, and stood en masse around the Congress, urging lawmakers to take meaningful action on climate change, like by implementing the Green New Deal. People of all ages showed up, according to news and social media reports.
The District is particularly at risk from the impacts of climate change, given that it includes two rivers, the Anacostia and the Potomac. As D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine points out on Twitter, the city is projected to witnesses a 3.4-foot increase in sea level by 2080. “While this estimate accounts for both ice loss and ocean warming, recent studies have found faster rates of ice loss, which could result in even higher sea levels by the end of the century,” says the District’s climate readiness plan. Extreme heat and storms could become more common.
Both the National Park Service and the D.C. police department declined to comment on the estimated attendance numbers for Friday’s demonstration, saying they do not provide crowd estimates. Similar actions are taking place today in New York, Chicago, and other American metros. Photos, videos, and commentary from the event in the nation’s capital follow below.
Just getting to the climate march in DC, it’s an hour before we begin and there are thousands here.
— Kelly Marx (@KellyMarx_) September 20, 2019
We’re here to #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/neQVuZHv9j
Kids in the #ClimateStrike handed me this in DC this morning - their daycare was out marching with banners and handouts they each made. pic.twitter.com/KdMLRhoxGW
— Kara Lynum (@karalynum) September 20, 2019
MoCo students just marched to the Silver Spring Metro for a rally before heading into DC to demand climate action. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/HTo5sXEYQJ
— Jeremy Dickey (@JeremyDDickey) September 20, 2019
just got to the unbelievably wholesome climate strike in DC pic.twitter.com/X18nesex8D
— aída chávez (@aidachavez) September 20, 2019
Thousands of folks at the climate strike in DC- and there are SO many kids here pic.twitter.com/mteLkFzeJB
— Elizabeth Landers (@ElizLanders) September 20, 2019
Capitol Hill, Washington DC. #ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/0ETcPGVRDh
— Paul Tonko ⚫️ (@RepPaulTonko) September 20, 2019
Immensely proud of the movement today #ClimateStrike https://t.co/mlg4HWQU1Q
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 20, 2019
What a powerful sight to see so many young advocates in the District and across the world taking to the streets to demand action on the climate crisis.
— AG Karl A. Racine (@AGKarlRacine) September 20, 2019
Protecting our planet and our future is a collective effort, and I stand with you! #DCClimateStrike #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/NxK99FaBQU
The youth are more than alright — if we follow their lead, they’ll save us all.
— Ben Cushing (@bmcushing) September 20, 2019
Incredible scene outside Capitol building in DC right now. #ClimateStrike #StrikeWithUs pic.twitter.com/XSM97QcBnk
Proud to join thousands of people at today's #dcclimatestrike to demand environmental justice and a #GreenNewDeal pic.twitter.com/Zs82N7ovas
— Vivienne Foroughirad (@VForoughirad) September 20, 2019
DC right now.
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) September 20, 2019
Today’s climate strike is just the beginning.
pic.twitter.com/2Wfh10pTdh
All faiths all creeds unite for #ClimateAction. #dcclimatestrike pic.twitter.com/8jRBPD2LK1
— Jason Rylander (@JasonRylander) September 20, 2019