There was a strong presence of Indigenous nations leading the way in protecting and defending “Mother Earth.” Demonstrators linked important struggles to the climate crisis, like stopping the building of “Cop City,” which is destroying forests in Atlanta, and an end to police brutality.

The protest was held a few days before the Climate Ambition Summit taking place Sept. 20 as part of the annual opening session of the U.N. General Assembly. A direct action is scheduled for Sept. 18 at Zuccotti Park, home to the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011.