Thousands Flood Lima's Streets in Largest-Ever Latin American Climate March

Indigenous communities at the forefront of the climate crisis led the march in Lima. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

Indigenous communities at the forefront of the climate crisis led the march in Lima. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

This article was written by Hoda Baraka for 350.organ organization building a global climate movement, and is republished on Global Voices as part of a content-sharing agreement.

Last week, over 15,000 people from across the region marched in the streets of Lima, making this the largest climate march in the history of Latin America.

Regionally, climate change is seen as an environmental, developmental and human rights issue; thus, it was no coincidence that the march was planned for December 10, which marks International Human Rights Day. Calling for a ‘System Change, Not Climate Change’, the march brought together numerous constituencies from across the spectrum demanding real and concrete actions to address the climate crisis.

Groups marching included: indigenous communities, farmers, workers, miners, youth groups as well as faith groups. This People’s Climate March in Lima comes on the heels of the recent massive People’s Climate March in New York and reinforces the growing momentum for the global climate movement. 

Below a series of photos reflecting the power, vibrancy and diversity of the march.

"Let's Save Lake Titicaca" reads a banner held by a woman traveling from the Andes region (border between Peru and Bolivia) calling for action to safeguard the largest lake in Latin America. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

“Let's Save Lake Titicaca” reads a banner held by a woman traveling from an Andean region in the border between Peru and Bolivia calling for action to safeguard the largest lake in Latin America. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

Thousands of workers from various labor unions also joined the march. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

Thousands of workers from various labor unions also joined the march. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

Youth showcasing the colourful artwork produced for the march at the art space run by Peruvian climate activist group TierrActiva Peru. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

Youth showcasing the colourful artwork produced for the march at the art space run by Peruvian climate activist group TierrActiva Peru. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

Women peasants from Central Latin America travelled from afar for the chance to put a spotlight on the environmental plights in their region. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

Women from rural Central Latin America travelled from afar for the chance to put a spotlight on the environmental plights in their region. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

"Desde El Yasuni Para El Mundo." Indigenous environmental activists from Yasuni, Ecuador relay a message to the world for the urgent protection of the Yasuni Amazon region from oil drilling. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

“Desde El Yasuni Para El Mundo.” Indigenous environmental activists from Yasuni, Ecuador, relay a message to the world for the urgent protection of the Yasuni Amazon region from oil drilling. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka

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