Thousands of protesters demand action on climate change
on November 23, 2015
Thousands of people marched last Saturday in Oakland to demand political action on climate change and a global reduction in fossil fuels in advance of the global climate conference in Paris. The crowd, estimated at more than 4,000, marched from Lake Merritt to Frank Ogawa Plaza. Drummers and dancers entertained the crowd while local speakers highlighted the major challenges to reducing global warming.
The Conference of Parties (COP) will convene the 21st global conference on climate change November 30 through December 11 in Paris. California Governor Jerry Brown, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt and other local leaders will be joining their world counterparts to address the growing climate change issues. More than 1 million people were expected to march in Paris this weekend, but because of the recent terrorist attacks, that major demonstration was cancelled.
According to Jack Fleck, head of 350 Bay Area Org., a grassroots organization with the aim of reducing carbon pollution in the San Francisco Bay area and beyond, this highlights the importance of the local march. “All of these rallies like ours around the world will be sending that same message to the Paris conference that we really need serious climate action,” he said. “The era of excuses is over.”
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- Thousands of people marched this Saturday in Oakland to demand political action on climate change and a global reduction in the use of fossil fuels in advance of the global climate conference in Paris. Photo by Angelica Casas.
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- About 3,500 Northern California residents gathered in Oakland on Saturday, Nov. 21 to advocate for environmental change in the wake of this month’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Photo by Angelica Casas.
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- People march towards Frank Ogawa Park participating in the NorCal Climate Mobilization Nov. 21 in Oakland. Photo by Jennifer Glenfield.
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- Rally-goers hold handmade signs during a march to bring awareness to climate change issues ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Photo by Jennifer Glenfield.
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- People march towards Frank Ogawa Park participating in the NorCal Climate Mobilization Nov. 21 in Oakland. Photo by Jennifer Glenfield.
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- Guillermo Ortiz (left) is the founder of Xochipilli, and Aztec group that led the march and later performed at the rally. Other performers included the Oakland-based Samba Funk! Carnaval Explosion and local bands. Photo by Angelica Casas.
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- Deezbaa O’Hare and other members of the group Xochipilli chanted songs to Tonantzin, the Aztec god of nature. The group led the march that ended with a rally at Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza. Photo by Angelica Casas.
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- Members of the Xochipilli Aztec group sang and played instruments to chants about nature, art and love. Photo by Angelica Casas.
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- Rally-goers read activists’ signs campaigning against coal imports planned in Oakland. Photo by Jennifer Glenfield.
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- The Raging Grannies Action League, also known as Las Abuelitas Enojadas, chanted against fracking and sang songs for environmental change at the rally. Photo by Angelica Casas.
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- Although the march and rally were meant to highlight global environmental concerns, many other advocacies protested for issues against capitalism, for a living wage and even for specific presidential candidates. Photo by Angelica Casas.
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