Sierra Club Hits the Streets for People's Climate March in Florida
Sierra Club Florida members took to the streets for People's Climate marches and events in Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Gainesville, and St. Augustine, joining 200 cities across the country on October 14. The marches were a follow-up to the People's Climate March in New York City, which attracted hundreds of thousands last year. This year's marches served as an important springboard to the Paris Climate talks later this year.
Tampa March
Senator Marco Rubio's Tampa office is just barely above sea level, which is why Sierra Club members, along with several dozen other allies, showed up to his office.
More than 100 people donned life jackets in keeping with the theme "the Rising Tide," both in the rising sea due to climate change, but also in the demand for action on climate by our leaders. Speakers from labor, public health professionals and the Sierra Club called out Rubio on being a climate denier and demanded action.
Working with allies like Physicians for Social Responsibility, Environment Florida, Service Employees International Union and AFL-CIO, the crowd and speakers represented the diversity of the Tampa Bay area and the concerns we all share in action on climate change.
Afterwards, marchers came together at SEIU 1199's office for an ice cream social, hosted by Ben and Jerry's. More than 40 people came to get their free scoop of ice cream and to support Ben and Jerry's climate tour.
Miami March
Dozens of Sierra Club members across South Florida took part in the Miami Climate March attended by 1,200 people. Members came from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, wearing Sierra Club t-shirts and carrying banners about the Everglades. They held a giant globe and signs as the march wound through downtown during rush hour from County Hall to to the Torch of Friendship monument a mile away.
Watch the Orlando march.