Thousands brace the Washington heat to call out Trump's environmental policies

Thousands of demonstrators marched through the US capital, Washington DC, on Saturday (29 April) to protest President Donald Trump's policies and call for more action to migrate against climate change.

Marchers faced sweltering heat as they walked along Pennsylvania Avenue towards the White House, with predictions putting the day's high at 33C and some claiming the heat itself could be record-breaking for that day of the year.

Outside the Capitol Building, politicians held a press conference before the march got underway to decry their colleagues who took money from oil companies, and call for action against global warming. "We owe the people of the world an America that is not for sale to the fossil fuel industry," Senator Sheldon Whitehouse told the crowd.

"They will not stop this energy efficiency revolution, they will not tell the green generation any longer that they are not going to have a planet that is safe and clean and non-polluting." said Senator Ted Markey, "the planet is running a fever."

The march also comes on the mark of Trump's 100th day in power, as many have lambasted the administration's inability to push their legislative agenda through congress. Though on environmental rollbacks, Trump has found fewer obstacles.

Alongside rollbacks, the administration has also threatened to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord - a UN agreement signed by countries around the world with the aim of curtailing further global warming.

"None of that makes America great again," Congressman Gerald Connolly, co-chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environmental Caucus, told IBTimes UK in the days leading up to the march. "All of that's a retreat".

"We demand an economy and government that works for all, clean air and water and a healthy environment." said Peoples' Climate Movement national coordinator, Paul Getsos, in a statement. This administration must immediately stop attacks on communities of colour and immigrants, Muslim, indigenous and LGBTQIA communities."

Along with groups representing indigenous movements, political parties and progressive groups, a few notable faces known for their work advocating for climate science were spotted on the route, including Oscar-winning actor, Leonardo DiCaprio and former Vice President, Al Gore.