Hundreds Make Their Voices Heard at The People's Climate March at Waterfront Park

Hundreds participated in The People's Climate March in San Diego, marching in solidarity with The People's Climate March held in Washington D.C.

Hundreds participated in the San Diego People’s Climate March at Waterfront Park on Saturday. The local march took place in solidarity with The People’s Climate March that happened in Washington D.C.

The goal of the local People’s Climate March was to call on local leaders to use clean energy sources and oppose federal attempts to roll back climate change policies put in place by former President Barack Obama.

The march, just ahead of President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office, also aimed at urging the Trump Administration to face the reality of climate change.

The San Diego People's Climate March started off with live music and speeches at Waterfront Park.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-80th District) gave a speech at the rally, telling a crowd of marchers that California is a state that will continue to fight for progressive polices, especially when it comes to climate change.

“We are not going backwards on all the gains we have made for the environment over the last few years. We are going to continue to push and make sure our air is clean, ” Gonzalez Fletch told a crowd of cheering supporters.

For longtime local Jorge Gonzalez, addressing climate change effects in San Diego’s communities is an important discussion to have.

“I’m aware of the environmental injustices that are happening in our city. I think this is an important subject that our communities south of the [Interstate 8] — San Yisdro, National City, Barrio Logan — are highly impacted by the environmental injustices happening for decades.”

Amy Knight, a former teacher who taught in a low income area in Miami, was at the march showing her enthusiasm for raising awareness not only about climate change, but climate justice.

Knight explains that with the increasing effects of climate change, such as increased heat waves or urban heat islands, the people who will be impacted the most by these effects are not financially equipped to do so.

Knight volunteers with the organization San Diego 350, which focuses on climate justice on the community level.

“The [political] atmosphere is pretty charged, mostly because of what people understand to be true and are passionate about, like I am, are being directly threatened,” Knight told NBC 7.

“Right now people are finding an opportunity to get involved to say something, which is I think is important,” she added.

Viena Bone also attended the march with her children, who she said will hopefully see how important it is to care for the planet, and to fight for the causes they care for.

"Awareness is really important. A lot of people don’t know about recycling, or composting or how affordable solar panels are. If more San Diegans were aware, that would be great.”

“I’m very proud of my city and the fact that we are on track to be a waste free county,” Bone said.

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