Climate change strike: Up to 80,000 protesters form human chain in Auckland
The youngest organiser of Auckland's climate strike was 13 years old. The oldest was 18. Together they rallied an estimated 80,000 people to protest the Government's inaction over climate change. Strike co-ordinator Luke Wijohn, 17, said the turnout at Friday's protest was "mind blowing". "It's insane that a bunch of teenagers got 80,000 people out onto the street. I've got hope again," he said. READ MORE: * School climate strike: Adults join with kids in huge day of national protest * Climate strike: What's happening in Auckland * Climate strike: Students shave heads in Auckland's Aotea Square After marching the length of Queen Street from Aotea Square, the strike ended at Quay Street, with protesters linking arms to form a human chain at the point where sea levels are predicted to rise by 2 metres by 2160. "This is the point where we'll be underwater," Wijohn told the crowd, who responded with chants of "draw the line". Chanting carried the thousands of protesters from Aotea Square, where the rally started, down Quay Street to the waterfront. "Show me what democracy looks like!" was answered with calls of "This is what democracy looks like!" Organisers dressed in high visibility clothing and armed with megaphones rallied the crowds with cries of "What do we want? Climate action! When do we want it? Now!" The energy was high from the start, with speakers including Ihumatao protest leader Pania Newton opening the rally at Aotea Square. "I'm here today to remind governments they need to take into account indigenous values in our future and our climate," she said. "A fight for climate justice is a fight for indigenous rights." Brianna Fruean, from Pacific Climate Warriors, addressed the crowd, saying young people had been forced away from school by "leaders who have failed to take action". "We will stand on your streets until you realise the real inconvenience is you." Marcail Parkinson, 17, has been involved with organising the school strikes from the start and said the protest was "everything they dreamed it would be". "It's been really cool seeing people from all different generations, from all different cultures ... join together in solidarity." Student strikers called on adults to march alongside them at this strike, and the Auckland protest was attended by people of all ages, including four generations of one family striking together . Strike organisers said about 170,000 people around the country took part in Friday's action. The Auckland strike ended with a powerful rendition of Tutira Mai Nga Iwi echoing around Quay Street and a final message from Luke Wijohn: "We made history today".