The demonstration took place on the eve of Climate Week NYC, the world’s largest climate event, which runs September 21-28 across all five boroughs of New York City.
Why It Matters
The timing of these protests underscores growing tensions between grassroots climate activism and institutional climate discussions.
As world leaders, business executives, and policy makers prepare to gather for Climate Week NYC’s official programming, activists are demanding more aggressive action from those with the greatest economic and political power.
Climate Week NYC bills itself as a platform for “inspiring heads of government, ministers and climate envoys, and some of the most prominent leaders from the world of business, tech, academia, and civil society.”
Protestors march through Manhattan up to Central Park at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. Protestors march through Manhattan up to Central Park at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Angelina KatsanisPeople march through Manhattan in the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. People march through Manhattan in the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis
What To Know
Protesters specifically targeted Billionaires’ Row and Trump Tower, chanting “Make Billionaires Pay” while connecting climate justice to broader social and political issues. The march linked environmental concerns with calls for democracy, gender equality, free speech, immigration reform, and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Climate Week NYC features hundreds of events across New York’s five boroughs, from policy gatherings and climate fintech discussions to community-led initiatives and art installations. Most official events are free and designed to be accessible to all participants.
The week addresses what organizers call “the biggest challenges of our time,” focusing on competitive strategies in a changing world, cost reduction, barrier removal, and clean technology investments.
However, protesters argue that current approaches remain insufficient given the urgency of the climate crisis.
People carry a “Climate Polluters Bill” the length of an Olympic swimming pool (50 meters long) through Manhattan at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. People carry a “Climate Polluters Bill” the length of an Olympic swimming pool (50 meters long) through Manhattan at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Angelina KatsanisA woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty marches through Manhattan in the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. A woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty marches through Manhattan in the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis
What People Are Saying
Climate Week NYC Organizers: “The need for immediate climate progress grows every year, every month, every day. There has never been a more important time than right now.”
Protestors sit for a moment of silence for the Global South at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. Protestors sit for a moment of silence for the Global South at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Angelina KatsanisAn art piece of Jeff Bezos with bloody hands carrying the globe is marched through Manhattan at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. An art piece of Jeff Bezos with bloody hands carrying the globe is marched through Manhattan at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis
What Happens Next?
Climate Week NYC continues through September 28, with events scheduled across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island.
The week’s programming includes both high-level policy discussions and community-focused initiatives.
People march through Manhattan at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. People march through Manhattan at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Angelina KatsanisAn effigy representing Elon Musk with a bloody hand holding a globe is marched through Manhattan at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest in New York, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. An effigy representing Elon Musk with a bloody hand holding a globe is marched through Manhattan at the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate protest in New York, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
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