Climate Strike In New York City: What You Need To Know

UPDATE: Thousands flooded Lower Manhattan streets for New York City's climate strike. Read Patch's coverage here.

NEW YORK, NY — Thousands are expected to strike from their classes and jobs to call for "transformative action" on climate change in New York City — joining millions worldwide three days before the United Nations' climate summit.

The New York City strike on Friday, Sept. 20 will begin at Foley Square and protesters will march to Battery Park for a rally. Public school students in New York City who want to join can have their absences excused for the climate strike this Friday.

Follow Patch's live coverage of the New York City Climate March on Friday here.

The strike falls on the second anniversary of when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. Strikers will commemorate those who died after Maria and call on the government to stop using fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gases that are causing climate change.

The international protest comes days before the United Nations Climate Action Summit that begins Sept. 23 in New York City, where leaders from government, business, and civil society are expected to address the global climate emergency.

"Together, we will sound the alarm and show our politicians that business as usual is no longer an option," reads the official Global Climate Strike page. "The climate crisis won’t wait, so neither will we."

Here's what you need to know about the global climate strike in New York City:

When?

Friday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.

Where?

The rally begins at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan. Protesters will then march to Battery Park, where the event will end with speakers and performers, including Fridays for Future leader Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist who recently sailed across the ocean for climate action.

Who?

Speakers will include:

• Vic Barrett, 20 year-old Juliana vs US plaintiff, climate justice activist
• Greta Thunberg, 16 year-old Swedish climate activist
• Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, 19 year-old Indigenous Climate Activist, Youth Director Earth Guardians; Plaintiff, Juliana vs US
• Julio López Varona, Co-director of Community Dignity Campaigns, Center For Popular Democracy
• Grace Goldstein, 17 year-old youth activist, US Climate Strike
• Rebeca Sabnam, 16 year-old New York & Bangladeshi activist, Youth Advocate for Cafeteria Culture
• Isabella Fallahi and Kevin Patel, Youth activists, Zero Hour
• Artemisa Xakriabá, Indigenous Amazonian youth leader, Guardians of Forest
• Marisol Rivera, 13 year-old Hurricane Sandy survivor, New York Communities for Change
• Varshini Prakash, Executive Director, Sunrise Movement Judy Sheridan Gonzalez, President, New York State Nurses Association
• Dr. Ayana Johnson, marine biologist and Founder of Urban Ocean Lab
• Special performances by Jaden and Willow Smith

Groups hosting New York City's event include:

• Fridays For Future
• Avaaz
• 350.org
• Hazon
• CODEPINK: Women For Peace
• New York Communities For Change
• 350 NYC
• Fridays For Future NYC
• Fossil Free
• Granny Peace Brigade
• Women's Earth and Climate Action Network
• ClimateMama
• Our Children's Trust
• Sane Energy Project
• March for Science
• Future Coalition
• Peoples Climate Movement NY
• March for Science New York City
• Our Climate
• Food & Water Watch - New York
• Jewish Climate Action Network
• Sunrise NYC
• Bronx Climate Justice North
• Extinction Rebellion NYC
• Defend Democracy in Brazil

Why are people marching?

To "demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis."

Will there be other actions in the New York City?

Yes. There are at least two in Brooklyn.

Imagine Strike: Sept. 20, 10 a.m. at 50 Monroe Place in Brooklyn

Red Hook Climate Strike: Sept. 20, 12 p.m. at Coffey Park in Red Hook, Brooklyn

Check out the map on the Global Climate Strike's website for more details and other events in the coming days.

Here's Greta Thunberg on her call to action: