People’s Climate March heading for the Strand. Image: Tom Glasser
Images and video by Tom Glasser
More than 5,000 demonstrated in the People’s Climate March in central London on Saturday and called on the Government to take stronger action on climate change.
It’s the biggest environment march before the 2015 General Election.
Protesters assembled in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and marched onto Westminster.
One of the organisations with the largest support on the day was the Green Party.
In Parliament Square they heard speeches from fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and Brighton Pavilion MP for the Green Party Caroline Lucas.
Protesters gather in Westminster to hear speeches saying government is not doing enough about climate change. Image: @MPSinthesky
Westwood, speaking on a video link said:
As you march my models will be walking down the catwalk. It’s very important you are there. I believe this demo is super important for the whole world. At the moment we in the UK need to do two things to handle everything for the best, we need to demonstrate, we need to vote in the elections.
The main parties just want power, they believe everything should be owned by a few people that don’t want change. We want MPs who don’t agree with the old system. The press and the TV do not reflect public opinion, the internet does. You’re not alone, people know what’s going on.
We must keep up the fight against climate change, the clock is ticking.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said:
Thank you so much for being here. We are here and we are powerful. We are saying no to climate change and no to fossil firms.
We know that what’s lacking isn’t the technology, isn’t the money, what’s lacking is simply the political will. That is what we can show them up and down the country through the things that we do.
We are talking about practical policies that make a difference. That is what we are about, we are about hope.
Chants heard during the march included ‘power to the people, power to the polar bear.’
As the march proceeded through Trafalgar Square, spectators watched and photographed the protestors.
Although some applauded the march, not all of the spectators agreed with the aims of the protest.
A collection of videos from the day, including a confrontation between protestors and a sports car driver, can be seen below:
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