Hundreds of thousands turn out in New York, other major cities for climate marches

Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities around the world Friday to demand action from world governments on climate change.

Video of demonstrations in New York, San Francisco, Berlin and several other cities showed city streets teeming with protesters. Some estimates put the total attendance at strikes around the world in the millions.

{mosads}Berlin and New York each had crowds estimated at more than 100,000 each, while thousands also turned out in Austin, Texas, Raleigh, N.C., and Washington, D.C.

The demonstrations garnered large followings on social media as well, with #ClimateStrike topping the list of U.S. Twitter trends. Another hashtag used by the movement, #ClimateAction, was near the top of the list Friday afternoon.

NYCs massive #ClimateStrike march has begun, from Foley Sq down Centre St to Chambers St across to Broadway… and down to the Battery! Thank you @ClimateCrisis and everyone else marching! pic.twitter.com/WUpeRP0ZQS

— Gale A. Brewer (@galeabrewer) September 20, 2019

An estimated 100,000 people in Berlin on #ClimateStrike. Today is massive pic.twitter.com/kSS7NulTx0

— Brian Kahn (@blkahn) September 20, 2019

Raleigh, North Carolina

Youth Climate Strike#ClimateAction #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/OCIXjyl6Us

— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) September 20, 2019

Climate strikes also took place in Nairobi, Dublin, Islamabad, Mumbai and Melbourne, according to Mother Jones.

Democratic presidential candidates like former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and entrepreneur Andrew Yang all offered messages of support to the protesters. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), another White House hopeful, spoke at a climate strike rally in Greensboro, N.C.

.@BernieSanders stopped by the #ClimateStrike in Greensboro, NC pic.twitter.com/pm0Q2jyLXI

— Ari Rabin-Havt (@AriRabinHavt) September 20, 2019

Inspired by the courage and determination of young people across the world as they take to the streets for today’s #ClimateStrike. Climate change is an existential threat that we cannot wait to address. It’s up to all of us to take action—future generations are counting on us.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 20, 2019

Climate change is an existential threat, and we are running out of time—but I have hope. I have hope thanks to the young people participating in the #ClimateStrike. I have hope thanks to the people I meet who are committed to making big, structural change to save our planet. pic.twitter.com/nIiTmHriLf

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 19, 2019

The #climatestrike is a beautiful act of humanity. https://t.co/VHkMGU03Bw

— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) September 20, 2019

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who has led youth climate strikes across Europe, is slated to speak Friday at the New York City rally in Battery Park following her trip to Washington, where she sat with protesters on the steps of the Supreme Court.

“The preliminary numbers say there are at least 3 million people in today’s #ClimateStrike And that is before counting North and South America!! To be updated… #FridaysForFuture,” she tweeted Friday.

The preliminary numbers say there are at least 3 million people in today’s #ClimateStrike And that is before counting North and South America!! To be updated… #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/9C8SE5kSxZ

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 20, 2019