Lack of information was one reason for the small turnout. The web pages of the many climate action groups wouldn’t disclose when and where to congregate until the requestor first disclosed their personal contact information. There were also two competing parades on Sunday – one for African Americans in Harlem and one for Mexicans in Manhattan.  The nightly news broadcasters told viewers about these parades the day before, but didn’t mention the climate rally until after it was over.

 

The march and rally emphasized indigenous people and youth.  While some banners said WORKERS ARE READY, there was limited  union presence.  While most unions have voted in favor of climate action, there was only one speaker from a Teamsters local and two banners from other union locals.

 

The age range of the participants was wide, though few were children.  There was a greater proportion of children among the speakers than among the marchers.  Similarly, there were a lot of grey heads among the marchers, but none of the speakers.  Roughly twenty percent had dark faces, split among various ethnic groups.

 

The only elected person who spoke was Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (aka. AOC) who represents New York’s 14th Congressional District.  She roused the crowd with the vigor of a Black Baptist preacher. She threw her verbal darts at Biden though she is certainly aware that the Republicans are a bigger barricade to “climate justice.”

 

Police presence was very light.  Their primary job was moving and removing barricades.  The usual left-wing groups passed out their literature and set up tables at the rally.  There were no counter protests, and no arrests.  The following day a couple hundred protestors descended on the financial district in lower Manhattan intending to commit civil disobedience. They demanded that there be no financing of fossil fuels. 

 

Despite the rain, 114 were arrested.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Jo Freeman