‘With world leaders coming to New York City for a landmark summit on climate change, people around the world took to the streets to demand action to end the climate crisis.’
Like prompt Vermonters, my husband and I arrived early for The People’s Climate March in New York City. The cab driver who drove us across town hadn’t even heard of the march. We had to inform him that many city blocks were going to be closed off with police barriers. We were practically the only two people there. It was early and quiet on Central Park West and 63rd Street, but there was an expectant hush in the air as joggers passed by with intrigued expressions as marchers started setting up.
A handful of young activists in colorful t-shirts were laying large bright orange circles on brown cardboard poles on the avenue between 62 and 63rd street, taking up a whole a city block. These artsy life preservers represented the city communities hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy. Sidestepping names like Canarsie, Red Hook, Rockaways, I found the one we came to represent - Breezy Point. Sandy left my 86 year old Dad a Climate Change refugee when it washed through our Breezy Point home. This march wasn’t just a curiosity.....it was deeply personal.
Texting my daughter Elizabeth at that early hour, she teased back that the march didn’t start for hours. I replied that every march of a thousand starts with two.
We walked the empty streets down Central Park West to Columbus Circle, where the police had created a barricaded area for the dignitaries and the media to set up shop. Things were starting to bustle there and we called to Bill McKibben who came over and gave us a hug and a photo op. Same with Bernie Sanders, a handshake and a photo. Vermont is a small state and we have the luxury of personally knowing our local celebrity activists and politicians.
It was fun to watch the streets come alive with people carrying colorful and thought provoking signs and to watch the activists moving the large art pieces into line. Finally, the march began. We were surrounded by a cross section of the New York City communities from all walks of life, ages, demographics and there was a feeling of camaraderie among this diverse group of New Yorkers. Resolute, steadfast, determined, people held their signs high, banging drums and chanting together. The truth is, protesting is a heck of a lot of fun and New York City made the perfect backdrop as we slowly marched down Central Park West, turned at Columbus Circle and headed down Sixth Avenue. Everyone knew we were making history.
At precisely two minutes before 1:00 pm, a hush fell over the crowd as the marchers held their hands in the air to silence the crowd in a wave that reached to the back of the line, to honor those already suffering in the face of climate change. I watched a jaded New York cop straighten a bit in wonderment as this silent power that washed the crowd of what we now know was 400,000 strong. After two long minutes, the silence was broken with a deafening noise as the crowd of thousands clamored to signal the alarm of climate change.
This peaceful demonstration of people power was organized seamlessly by over 1500 environmental groups around the world, with our very own Vermont 350.org group founded by Bill McKibben leading the way. There were similar marches in 162 countries around the world, Paris, London, New Delhi, Peru, Egypt and on and on.
It was an amazing moment in history and I wouldn’t have missed it. I won’t miss the next one either as we continue on the people’s path to respecting and honoring our home planet, Mother Earth.
