A rally in support of strong action on climate change drew some 150,000 people to the National Mall in Washington DC according to organizers. The rally—which also celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day—alternated its program with music and speakers.
Heavyweight musicians, including Sting, John Legend, the Roots, Jimmy Cliff, Passion Pitt, and Joss Stone, played to the big crowd.
Speakers included the Reverend Jesse Jackson; Denis Hayes, who helped start the first Earth Day; author Margaret Atwood; Lisa Jackson head of the EPA; and James Cameron who has become an important environmental figure after his science fiction allegory about indigenous rights and forest destruction, Avatar, became the top grossing movie of all time.
President Barack Obama also addressed the crowd onscreen with a taped message.
The rally was hosted by the Earth Day Network.
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