Cities and countries on every continent joined hands to protest climate change this past weekend and Orange County was no exception, with protests in Huntington, Orange and Irvine.

From sun-up to sun-down, hundreds of climate change activists came together with catchy chants and homemade signs to raise awareness for climate change, on the corner of Alton and Culver in Irvine.

Photo by Ryan Leuteritz

“The first step is getting the knowledge out there letting people know that there is a problem,” said Isaac, a representative from Sunrise Movement, an O.C. climate change organization. Isaac and the Sunrise Movement visited multiple climate change protests throughout O.C., armed with megaphones and literature for fellow protesters. “All these cars passing by and these high schoolers walking by, they see the problem. If just a couple of them join in and see the climate movement then we’ve done our jobs.”

Protesters from all walks of life came to Mark Daily Athletic Field to show their support for climate change legislation, with participants ages ranging from preteen to 80+. 

Photo by Ryan Leuteritz

Dawson Henry, a 13-year-old Irvine student, even skipped school to attend the protest; with parent permission of course. Between shouting ecological facts, poster board in hand, at passing cars and pedestrians, Henry had this to say about his passionate stance on climate change: “Climate change is hurting a lot of our environment and with the current government situation, nothing is changing. We have to do something about it or there won’t be a future to protect.” 

These protests come with news that 23 states have launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration last week. The Trump administration recently introduced a proposal that would restrict California’s state vehicle pollution standards, of which 13 other states have also adopted.

Photo by Ryan Leuteritz

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