06.12.08 - National Climate March

Saturday 6th December saw the 'National Climate March' through London, from Grosvenor Square to Parliament Square, via various parts of Westminster.
Tens of thousands of people turned out, of all ages and from all walks of life, to express their concern over the vast, impending problem facing us all - climate change.

National climate March. Grosvenor Square to Parliament Sq. 06.12.08

National climate March. 'Seize the day' perform in Parliament Sq. 06.12.08

National climate March. Nelson Mandela statue + banner. Parliament Sq. 06.12.08

National climate March. Parliament Sq. 06.12.08

National climate March. Leaflets in Parliament Sq. 06.12.08

National climate March. Vegan demonstrator, Parliament Sq. 06.12.08

The March on Parliament had four main themes -
1) NO to a 3rd runway at Heathrow and the runaway expansion in aviation expansion.
2) NO new coal - no new coal-fired power stations as planned at eg Kingsnorth in Kent
3) NO to the expansion of agrofuels - with negative impacts on forests, the climate and world food supply.
4) YES to a renewable energy revolution and green jobs - a "Green new Deal"

After a march through London with various funky bands and sound-systems blasting their way along the route, tens of thousands of people converged on parliament square, to express their concern over that most universal of problems - climate change.

After some speakers and the fab band 'Seize the day', people dispersed and went on their way peacefully.

HOWEVER, The talk in the crowd was of more direct action, and soon....

Inevitably, the politicians in the UK will pretend not to hear the many many thousands of voices clamoring for change.
With potential climate chaos ahead, what else can a concerned citizen of the UK do, apart from take matters into their own hands?...

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Images copyright Billy Macrae 2008.
These lo-res versions may be distributed freely in connection with this protest.

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