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Hundreds of thousands of protesters demand climate justice across the globe amid COP26

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COP26 is well under way — and so are the protests.

The U.N. Climate Change Conference, running until Friday in Glasgow, has seen world leaders meeting to discuss a global commitment to fighting climate change and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In response, activists have brought these conversations to the streets outside the summit, even skipping school to do so.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands protested for climate justice, on what was deemed by organisers as the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, “bringing together movements to build power for system change — from indigenous struggles to trade unions, from racial justice groups to youth strikers.” The largest protest took place in the city where COP26 is being held — in Glasgow, around 100,000 people took to the streets to push for significant reform.

Elsewhere, 250 protests were simultaneously held around the world, including in South Korea, Kenya, Australia, Portugal, France, Brazil, Turkey, and Canada.

“Climate justice recognises that all of our struggles lead back to the same unjust system,” read the call to action from COP26 Coalition (a UK-based coalition of groups and individuals mobilising around climate justice during COP26). “We need climate action that works for all of us, not just the people with the most money in their pocket.”

“The crisis will not be solved if those most affected are not central to the solutions and decision-making,” it continues. “The impacts of the climate crisis vary across areas and communities. This means the best solutions for each area must be shaped by those who are experiencing the impacts. In many cases, indigenous and frontline communities have known the solutions for centuries. And after all, we should all be able to participate in decisions that affect us.”

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Activist Vanessa Nakate, who has advocated for equality and inclusion in the climate movement, spoke at the rally, while fellow activist Greta Thunberg attended but did not speak at this event.

“Leaders rarely have the courage to lead. It takes citizens, people like you and me, to rise up and demand action. And when we do that in great enough numbers, our leaders will move,” Nakate told the crowd.

Glasgow’s assistant chief constable Gary Ritchie said the protests occurred “largely without incident” and people were “generally good natured”. Though 21 Scientist Rebellion protesters were arrested for chaining themselves to Glasgow’s King George V Bridge, it makes fewer than 50 arrests at the summit to date.

In Glasgow and other locations, protester signs depicted emotion, creativity, and an unmistakeable demand for climate justice. Attendees also donned costumes including masks of powerful world leaders accused of not doing enough to combat climate change, and a massive paper bird sculpture was paraded through the streets of the city.

The message from this massive, worldwide demonstration could not be clearer.

Climate protestors gather for the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice march on Nov. 6 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Climate protestors gather for the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice march on Nov. 6 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

A climate activist holds a Paris Hilton-inspired sign during a "Global Day of Action" protest in Glasgow.

A climate activist holds a Paris Hilton-inspired sign during a “Global Day of Action” protest in Glasgow.
Credit: Emily Macinnes / Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Demonstrators carry a paper bird sculpture in Glasgow.

Demonstrators carry a paper bird sculpture in Glasgow.
Credit: Emily Macinnes / Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Protesters hold signs at the climate protests in Glasgow.

Protesters hold signs at the climate protests in Glasgow.
Credit: Emily Macinnes / Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Tibetan climate demonstrators in Glasgow.

Tibetan climate demonstrators in Glasgow.
Credit: EMILY MACINNES / BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES.

Emotion and high spirits took to the streets in Glasgow.

Emotion and high spirits took to the streets in Glasgow.
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

Climate protesters gather in Glasgow.

Climate protesters gather in Glasgow.
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Demonstrators wearing masks depicting world leaders in Glasgow.

Demonstrators wearing masks depicting world leaders in Glasgow.
Credit: EMILY MACINNES / BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES.

Indigenous people and climate change activists joined the protests at Glasgow Green.

Indigenous people and climate change activists joined the protests at Glasgow Green.
Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

It rained in Glasgow, but didn't stop protesters.

It rained in Glasgow, but didn’t stop protesters.
Credit: Emily Macinnes / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Protesters hold powerful signs calling for action in Glasgow.

Protesters hold powerful signs calling for action in Glasgow.
Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images.

Climate activists representing the Pacific Islands gather during the protest at Hyde Park in Sydney, Australia.

Climate activists representing the Pacific Islands gather during the protest at Hyde Park in Sydney, Australia.
Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images

Protesters walked down Elizabeth Street in Sydney demanding world leaders act decisively on climate change.

Protesters walked down Elizabeth Street in Sydney demanding world leaders act decisively on climate change.
Credit: Don Arnold / Getty Images

Climate activists dressed as Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce in Sydney's Hyde Park.

Climate activists dressed as Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce in Sydney’s Hyde Park.
Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images.

Climate activists hold up portraits of slain Philippine environmental defenders in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Climate activists hold up portraits of slain Philippine environmental defenders in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Credit: Ezra Acayan / Getty Images

Climate activists protest in Lisbon, Portugal.

Climate activists protest in Lisbon, Portugal.
Credit: Nuno Cruz / NurPhoto via Getty Images

A protester in Lisbon, Portugal.

A protester in Lisbon, Portugal.
Credit: Nuno Cruz / NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Red Rebels, an international performance artivist troupe dedicated to fighting the climate crisis, attend the protest in Glasgow.

The Red Rebels, an international performance artivist troupe dedicated to fighting the climate crisis, attend the protest in Glasgow.
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images.

Protesters hold portraits of world leaders and a banner reading "Climate inaction = crimes against the living" as they demonstrate in Paris.

Protesters hold portraits of world leaders and a banner reading “Climate inaction = crimes against the living” as they demonstrate in Paris.
Credit: THOMAS COEX / AFP via Getty Images.

Signs displayed motivations and various calls to action in Glasgow.

Signs displayed motivations and various calls to action in Glasgow.
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

Protesters march during the demonstration in London.

Protesters march during the demonstration in London.
Credit: Vuk Valcic / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

A protester holds a placard critical of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London.

A protester holds a placard critical of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London.
Credit: Vuk Valcic / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

A protester holds a placard critical of Boris Johnson during the demonstration in London.

A protester holds a placard critical of Boris Johnson during the demonstration in London.
Credit: Vuk Valcic / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

Climate protesters carry a placard saying "Silent Shores Empty Seas" in Glasgow.

Climate protesters carry a placard saying “Silent Shores Empty Seas” in Glasgow.
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

Massive banners were held by protesters in Glasgow.

Massive banners were held by protesters in Glasgow.
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

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