Even in 90 degree weather, tens of thousands of people arrived in Washington, D.C. on Saturday ready to march for a cause.
It just so happens that the latest demonstration also fell on the same day that President Trump reaches his hundredth day in office. Marchers made it known as they passed the Trump Hotel in Washington as well as the White House that they were not too pleased with the President’s recent rollbacks on environmental protections and climate policies that former President Obama set in place while in office.
The heat didn’t seem to stop anyone from showing up. Many parents pushed their children in strollers or carried infants in baby carriers. People were pushing family members in wheel chairs which goes to show how age demographics do not stop anyone from supporting the important cause.
As the lineup for the march began around 11 AM in front of the Capital building, a chant of “Compost Trump” arose from the crowd. The creativity of the participants went far beyond the chanting as many people brought homemade signs that were all too appropriate. “Mar-a-lago will soon just be Mar” one sign read.
Doctor Seuss also seemed to be a large part of the demonstration as many people made signs referencing his work “The Lorax”. At one point, a fellow marcher even read the book out loud as he walked along friends holding cardboard trees replicated to look like the ones in the infamous childrens book.
Everyone marching made their way to the White House and surrounded the building as many passed out water bottles for free to aide their fellow marchers in the sweltering heat. The call to action throughout the entire march never seemed to waiver for a second.
It is easy to show up for a cause, but it is important to continue to support and advocate after these demonstrations are over.
Use your voice and stand up. Educating yourself on climate change and then spreading your knowledge can only further acknowledge the problem and inspire others to join the conversation.
Vote accordingly. Read up on your local politicians and their climate and environmental policies before you vote. Even at a local level, politicians can have a big impact on the way that the community contributes to global warming.
Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Believe it or not every second counts when it comes to conserving energy.
Reduce. By using less non reusable items you can help keep things out of landfills where methane gas is produced.
Showing up is just a start to fighting for climate change and environmental rights. The People’s Climate March was a step in the right direction and it inspired many people of all ages to stand up and fight for politicians, including the not so political president to acknowledge that climate change is real and that no one is backing down when it comes to protecting the Earth.
