The People’s Climate March

Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in New York City for the People’s Climate March on September 21, 2014.

The march was intended to send a message to global leaders who were set to gather on September 23rd at the United Nations for a summit on global warming.

Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon joined the march.

More than 1500 organizations participated in the event, ranging from social activists to environmental agencies and religious groups. An estimated 50,000 college students also rallied.

Participants assembled on the Upper West Side along the park and the march began on Columbus Circle.

The crowd was shouting and singing; “ Global warming has got to go,” and “ Your pocket is thicker, our children are sicker.”

Climate marches also took place in Australia and Europe.

It was a huge and high-spirited crowd — organizers estimate 400,000 people — from diverse backgrounds, ages, races, political and religious affiliations.

A handful of South Bronx organizations represented the borough.

South Bronx Unite members wore oxygen masks to protest Fresh Direct’s move into the borough.

The group says the online grocer’s fleet of trucks will further pollute Bronx air.

The group chanted, “South Bronx demands respect, boycott Fresh Direct!”

At 12:59 p.m. march participants raised up their hands in a moment of silence to commemorate victims of global warming.

Messages on the placards and posters included “No fracking,” “We only have one planet,” “No more fossil fuel,” and “No more coal extractions.”

Some marched wearing indigenous costumes.

A spokesperson for the polar bears.

The march ended on 34th Street and 11th Avenue with a symbolic ribbon signing.