See the Best Signs From the Youth Climate March

Last weekend, like many other weekends this year, was filled with youth activism. Hundreds of young people gathered in Washington, D.C. on a rainy Saturday for the Youth Climate March, planned by the youth-led climate group Zero Hour.

Ahead of the July 21 march, which also included planned marches in 14 other cities, we sat down with 18-year-old Zanagee Artis, a founding member of Zero Hour. Artis talked about how important this kind of activism is to getting young people involved in environmental policy.

“My first time voting will be this year but most of our team doesn’t have the opportunity, so they can’t influence elections in that way,” Artis told Youth Radio. “Also, these are the people that are going to live with the effects of climate change. The people who will bear the brunt of the impact of any issues relating to climate change.”

Hundreds of students echoed Artis’ concerns at marches around the country, where the day was filled with rallies and speeches by activists as young as 7.

We’ve compiled some of the best signs marchers carried as they rallied for climate and environmental justice.

it’s time to get off your butts and do something for the planet. #youthclimatemarch #thisiszerohour

A post shared by Carter Rogan (@carterthecamper) on Jul 21, 2018 at 11:36am PDT

youth climate march 2018 #zerohour

A post shared by carsyn creswell ❁ (@carsyncreswell) on Jul 21, 2018 at 12:03pm PDT

iMatter Youth leaders Maddie Adkins (Oregon) and Madison Boots (Minnesota) met up in DC for the #ZeroHour Art Day today! Amazing posters, Maddie & Maddie!! #iMatterYouth #ThisisZeroHour

A post shared by iMatter Youth (@imatteryouth) on Jul 20, 2018 at 3:42pm PDT

Reminder that Flint doesn’t have clean water #ZeroHour

A post shared by Naomi Joy (@aprictprincss) on Jul 22, 2018 at 10:15am PDT

A pic from the Youth Climate March in Los Angeles!!! It was a great day of activism, as we merged with @familiesbelongtogetherla. Thank you to everyone who came out to make your voice heard and join the fight for climate action. But, this march is only the first step. We will continue our fight for transformative justice because #thisiszerohour !!! #climateaction #losangeles #activist #zerohour #savetheworld #youth #la #activism #climatechange

A post shared by Youth Climate March LA (@thisiszerohourla) on Jul 21, 2018 at 8:12pm PDT

Across the pond, Londoners also marched.

My heart is bursting with pride at what @thisiszerohourlondon managed to achieve in just a couple of months. Power to the people Already excited for next year’s #ThisIsZeroHour #zerohourlondon #youthclimatemarch ! Thankyou to EVERYONE across the world for all your support. Especially @_ukycc_ for leading the movement in the UK. This is Zero Hour.

A post shared by Grace Newton (@grace_in_wilderness) on Jul 22, 2018 at 4:48am PDT

At least one superhero showed up at the Denver, Colorado march.

Some of our favorite photos from the Denver #YouthClimateMarch courtesy of @DefendOurFutureCO! #ThisIsZeroHour #ActOnClimate #Colorado #ClimateLeadership #ClimateChange #SaveTheEPA #Wheeler #AndrewWheeler #Environment #Sustainability #DefendOurFuture #Earth

A post shared by Defend Our Future (@defendourfuture) on Jul 22, 2018 at 6:02am PDT

And people of all ages marched in New York and Seattle.

#youthactivism #thisiszerohour #youthclimatemarch #werise #vote #standup #saveourplanet

A post shared by leah (@lwang_nyc) on Jul 21, 2018 at 5:11pm PDT

We’re out marching alongside our fellow young New Yorkers at the Zero Hour Youth Climate March! Our fellow Izzi will be speaking at the rally at the end of the march! @thisiszerohour.nyc @thisiszerohour

A post shared by Sunrise NYC (@sunrisemvmtnyc) on Jul 21, 2018 at 8:58am PDT

And at least one young person took it a step further by recycling a sign from a previous march.