In Times Square, unions and activists preview climate march

By Conor Skelding

12:03 p.m. | Jul. 30, 2014

Roberto Mukaro Borrero (Taino) addresses rally on Climate Change in Times Square
Photo Credit: Diane Lent

Unions and activists groups rallied in Times Square on Wednesday morning to officially launch the People's Climate March, which organizers hope will be the largest climate-related march in history.

The march is set for September 21 in New York City, two days before a United Nations summit on climate change.

"It is our desire to combat climate change," said Christopher Erikson, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers' Local Union No. 3.

"Our momentum must be governed in an orderly fashion, that provides sustainability for our goal of a livable planet, along with the security of a reliable electrical grid," he added. "We must weigh the effects of jobs on U.S. citizens."

The march was been backed by a broad array of progressive groups. Last week, two New York health care unions announced that they would encourage members to participate the march. Councilman Donovan Richards has also introduced a resolution asking the City Council to officially endorse the march.

The rally on Wednesday included remarks from representatives for the Transport Workers Union, 1199 SEIU, and 32BJ, among other unions and activist groups.

"Indigenous Peoples all over the world are on the front lines of climate change!" shouted Roberto Borrero (Taino) of the International Indian Treaty Council. "We are the canaries in the coal mine! We can see the melting of the glaciers! We can see the desertification in Africa! We can see the rising waters for Indigenous Peoples in the Pacific islands."

"We are glad to see that some of you are finally listening to the warnings that Indigenous Peoples have been shouting for 500 years now on this side of the world," he said.

"We will be here on September 21 to march along with you. Not behind you, but as equals!" he finished, before chants of "The people, united, will never be defeated!" began.

Source: Capital New York