Boston Rally Supports Vulnerable Populations Through Climate Action

More than 2,000 people protested on the Boston Common Saturday as news broke that 196 nations voted to adopt a climate agreement in Paris.

The protest brought together many different groups who say they want to support vulnerable and poor populations through climate action. Groups represented at the rally included the Council on American-Islamic Relations, National Nurses United and 350 Massachusetts.

2k Protestors in front of @StateStreet @McDonalds & @Primark today. Called for higher wages & environmental justice. pic.twitter.com/07hYLUaDVv
— Kassandra Sundt (@KassandraSundt) December 12, 2015

"We have a 400 [parts per million] level that's going to get worse," she said. "And also because I'm a part of a minority status, I know that this is an intersectional problem that's not just affecting me but minorities around the world, and my future generation — and it's what I have to do."

Many local student groups — from schools including MIT and UMass Boston — were out in force.

As the rally turned into a march, police escorted the group to the State Street headquarters in the Financial District.

"State Street and other banks like it help financially support pipeline projects and private prisons," UMass Boston student Gene Charles said.

State Street has not responded to requests for comment.

The protest then wound its way toward Downtown Crossing where the crowd made stops at a McDonald's and Irish-retailer Primark. Union representatives in the crowd called for a higher minimum wage and criticized what they called "union-busting efforts" by Primark — which opened in Boston in September.