Climate protesters turn out as Europe votes on parliament
Protesters are holding rallies in several European Union countries to demand tougher action against global warming, as the 28-nation bloc votes to fill the European Parliament.
Thousands attended a rally Friday in Berlin, where mostly young people waved banners with slogans such as "There is no planet B" or "Plant trees, save the bees, clean the seas."
Many protesters will be too young to vote when Germans cast ballots Sunday in the European Parliament election, but are pressing family and older friends to consider the world's long-term future.
Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' beneath the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in Rome, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Maurizio BrambattiANSA via AP)
Clara Kirchhoff said the election for the EU's 751-seat assembly was particularly important for tackling climate change on a continental level.
The 17-year-old says "there's no point in Germany doing a lot for the climate and others not pulling their weight."
Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' beneath the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in Rome, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Maurizio BrambattiANSA via AP)
A toy monkey wears a banner as young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)
Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)
Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)
Young protestors hold a sign reading 'vote for the planet because your kids can't' ahead of the European elections during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movement in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Boris Roesslerdpa via AP)
A protestor holds a symbolic earth in his hand during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movements Muenster, Germany, Friday, March 24, 2019. (Guido Kirchnerdpa via AP)
Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)
Young climate activists demonstrate in front of the Finnish Parliament building in Helsinki, Finland, Friday May 24, 2019, a global day of student protests aiming to spark world leaders into action on climate change. (Vesa MoilanenLehtikuva via AP)
Thousands of students demonstrate front of the Credit Suisse bank during a « Climate strike » protest in Lausanne, Switzerland, Friday, May 24, 2019. Students from several countries worldwide plan to skip class Friday in protest over their governments' failure to act against global warming. (Jean-Christophe BottKeystone via AP)
People take part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)
A young protestor takes part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)