Just got back from the Climate March. I was at the Climate March in NYC today. My group was staged on 58th St. between 8th and 9th avenues, just adjacent to the Time Warner Building.
I got there by 11 am. It was after 2 pm when our group finally started to move. Weather was kind of overcast and hazy. Not too bright, not too hot.
People were very energized and friendly. The route was along Central Park South then down 6th Avenue to 42nd St. Then across 42nd St. and over to 11th Avenue and down to 34th.
One high point was razzing the Fox News building as we passed it on 6th Avenue. When we got to 42nd St. things really slowed down. One person in my contingent was getting updates from 350.org. They said the numbers far exceeded expectations. Their estimate was 310,000 people.
The numbers far exceeded the capacity of the place where the march was ending, so they were urging us in the rearguard to disperse around 11th Ave. I was tired. All that standing around is hard on the lower back. So my friends and I dispersed at 7th Avenue instead.
I'm back at my hotel now. Glad to have been a a part of it. Glad that it seems to have been a huge success. Glad to get a chance to freshen up and rest a bit.
We'll see what the official estimates are. (Fox News reports 20,000 people at Climate March in New York? It could happen.)
1:59 PM PT: One thing I forgot to mention. I guess there's an interfaith service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine at 6 pm. I was told Al Gore is expected to attend.
2:28 PM PT: Thanks for all the recs. I'm gonna run out and grab a bite, but will check back before long.
2:43 PM PT: Give the devil his due! Apparently Fox News is reporting the consensus numbers. Pace. Thanks, Catte Nappe.