US protesters demand action on climate change

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Thousands of youth-led demonstrators across the U.S.'s major cities turned out Friday to demand their leaders take action to combat climate change.

Demonstrators inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg's Fridays for Future walkouts took to the streets in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C., among other metropolises, loudly calling for a change in the status quo.

At least 10,000 people were reportedly taking part in the Manhattan demonstration while photos posted to social media showed Los Angeles' Pershing Square filled to the brim with student activists.

Thunberg is taking part in the demonstrations in New York City where public schools reportedly excused students to take part in the act of civil disobedience.

The demonstrations are part of worldwide protests to demand action to protect the environment and curb carbon emissions. People in more than 150 countries are reportedly taking part as the UN hosts its 74th General Assembly in New York with world leaders set to begin making their annual remarks on Tuesday.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters, mostly young people and their parents, have been expected to take to the streets in major cities across the world.

The global climate strike, billed as the biggest climate mobilization ever, is being held on Friday across six continents with more than 3,500 demonstrations by activists, students, scientists, workers, and many others.

Protests were held from Australia to Africa and from Asia to America to mark the biggest ever attended environmentalist event ever recorded.