On February 1, 2020, over 1,000 people marched through downtown Des Moines, from Cowles Commons to the Iowa Events Center, to bring media attention to the climate crisis. Over 70 organizations worked together to make this event happen. It was scheduled just before the Iowa Caucuses to take advantage of the national media gathered here. Various groups concentrated on different climate topics, including extinction, pipelines, natural disasters, and Indigenous rights. See below for media links, videos, and pictures of the parade.
Climate Crisis Coverage starts at 6:55
The following video produced by Rodger Routh.
Here’s the video put together by Mom’s Clean Air Force and Karin Stein.
https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousIowa/videos/565082864087938/
About 1,000 people assembled to hear speakers before the start of the parade. Steve Shivvers (yellow vest) used his car as a stage. Ako Abdul-Samad (in black coat) addresses the crowd. (Photo by Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Start of the parade with the Iowa State Capitol in the background. (Photo by Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Kelcie Kraft of Urban Ambassadors leads chants. (Photo by Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Isabelle Brace (left) with Iowa Climate Strike, Kathy Byrnes (right) with Bold Iowa, with Rob MacDonald, a film major at Harvard University. (Photo by Jeff Kisling)
Indigenous leaders from across the Midwest and beyond led the parade. (Photo by Jeff Kisling)
Ed Fallon coordinating the parade line-up. (Photo by Millennials for Climate Action)
Tyler LaMere and Keely Driscoll lead the parade. (Photo by Jeff Kisling)
Urban Ambassadors’ globe, showing climate change impacts on each continent. (Photo by Millennials for Climate Action)
Karen Tigges, dressed as a polar bear, brings home the reality of extinction. (Photo by Jeff Kisling)
T-rex with an instructive sign. (Photo by Millennials for Climate Action)
Ako Abdul-Samad with Eddie Mauro at the start of the parade. (Photo by Jeff Kisling)
Plastics made from oil are a major part of our climate problem. (Photo by Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Miriam Kashia of 100 Grannies for a Livable Future with replica of the Dakota Access Pipeline. (Photo by Millennials for Climate Action)
Australia’s fiery climate crisis on display in Iowa’s parade. (Photo by Millennials for Climate Action)
Regina Tsosie with Sage Sisters. (Photo by Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Costumes, signs and messages came in all shapes and sizes. (Photo by Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Gorillas (Tim Schmitt and Tory Church), Bigfoot (Troy Church), and Whoopee Cushion (Shannon Stimple). (Photo by Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Bold Iowa Climate Refugee Penguins. (Photo by Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Jeffrey Weiss as the fossil fuel reaper. (Photo Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)
Climate Action Iowa contingent from Fairfield.
Die in at the Iowa Events Center, symbolizing the threat of extinction. (Photo Kristie Burns, Cameras for Conservancy)