Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain served as Labor Day’s initial backdrop for more than 100 people gathered to march against climate change.
“We’re a part of a global movement. We’re a part of a long arc of fighting for justice, for environmental justice, for climate justice,” organizing member of Extinction Rebellion, Shea Riester said.
XR, as it is known, states that it uses “non-violent rebellion against the US government for its criminal inaction on the ecological crisis,” according to the organization’s website.
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However, the group has received quite a bit of criticism for a number of tactics, including the use of mass arrests to cause disruption; more on that below.
Before starting the march, organizers held what they called a “grief ritual,” which included live speakers, songs or chants, and “blood” made of corn syrup and food coloring poured onto the ground mosaic in front of Bethesda Fountain.
Photo: Lee Uehara
Participants of all ages held up signs reading, “Tell the Truth,” “Act Now,” “The Amazon Fires Are Worse in 2020,” “1,000,000 million species at risk of Extinction,” and “189,000 Dead from Covid-19 in US.”
Photo: Lee Uehara
Photo: Lee Uehara
One marcher, Keith Goldstein, attended with his family. “We’re out here about concern for environment, global warming,” he said, with his wife holding a flag reading “Save Our Oceans.”
Goldstein’s 11 year old son, Ethan, also marched, carrying a flag with a symbol of an hourglass, explaining why he was there: “Well, I want to protect the environment, animals and plants and everybody on Earth,” he said.
Photo: Lee Uehara
The group made its way up the stairs underneath the West 72nd Street Traverse, through the Mall and across Sheep Meadow.
Photo: Lee Uehara
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This is where three protesters were arrested for scaling the Columbus Circle globe, while a jazz ensemble performed below.
Equipped with helmets and climbing ropes, the trio unfurled a flag reading “Climate Justice Now” before being apprehended, at which point some in the crowd cheered and supported the three with words of support, including “we love you.”
Lee Uehara is not only a journalist and documentary-style photographer, she is also the host of the podcast, House of Lee NYC. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and many other news outlets through her work as a former reporter for The Associated Press. You can usually spot her in the neighborhood walking her dog with a camera in hand. Visit HouseOfLeeNYC.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
It is a strange feeling when one believes completely in the cause of the protesters, has giving significant contributions to research and development of a solution for climate change, and yet the theatrics of the protest are so ridiculous it becomes hard to take it seriously.
Again, I support the protesters completely, and I absolutely believe that climate change is our greatest existential threat–I just don’t understand how wading in a fountain wrapped in red tulle is going to help us reach a solution.
One more reason not to go back to NYCity – I’m loving the Hills of Connecticut!! No crazies here
Maybe all those people should wear proper masks and not bandanas, and wear them not under their noses as if their penises were hanging out over their underwear, not deface historic property that someone else has to clean up in our parks and someone might listen and pay attention. Toddler behavior is not acceptable in an adult society if one wants to make change
Maybe all of those climate protesters should stop dirtying up the environment with their garbage and stupidity
I am not a member of XR, but I was there. This was a moving, peaceful demonstration and march, followed by the non-violent action and arrest by the 3 people who climbed the globe at Trump International Hotel, to hang the banner. Both demonstrators and police were calm and respectful throughout. The photo of the blood on the Bethesda Fountain plaza actually shows XR members cleaning it all up before we left the plaza and the march began. These are definitely not “crazies,” but thoughtful activists. Lots of families.
I am sure they are good people. I completely support their cause in thoughts and cash. I just wish there was a way to protest and not be ridiculous. I think it would be more powerful if it wasn’t silly, and yet, maybe they have to be stupid to get the news crews to come out.
Anyhow, it is a deadly serious issue, and I hope everyone is doing their part to find a solution.
In Manhattan Playwright Dr. Larry Myers responds to shenanigans of Extinction & the horrifying climate crisis with a new stage work :
“horizon hiccups/hemisphere hemorrhage”
his
rwm playwrights lab
plans a squat preview of this in Provincetown where his Playwrights Sanctuary will be reinventing, analyzing the use of theater arts
Edward Albee endorsed the Sanctuary
Myers aids younger & new poets & dramatists
How not to win friends and influence people.
Sounds like disturbing the peace and trespassing and vandalism and they did not have a permit.