Thousands of activists flocked to the streets of D.C. Friday to protest climate change at the “Global Climate Strike.” Earlier in the week, youth environmental activist Greta Thunberg spoke to students in Lisner Auditorium and encouraged people to take part in the fight against climate change.

[gwh_image id=”1097943″ credit=”Eric Lee | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Benjamin Valdivielso, 17, from W.T. Woodson High School in Virginia, holds a sign during the climate strike Friday. [/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1097945″ credit=”Eric Lee | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Students march toward the U.S. Capitol. [/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1097946″ credit=”Eric Lee | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Ella Neals, 13, leads a chant with her schoolmates Friday. [/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1098066″ credit=”Eric Lee | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Speakers encourage activists to take part in the fight against climate change. [/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1097947″ credit=”Eric Lee | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]People hold a sign reading “Green New Deal” in front of the U.S. Capitol. [/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1097949″ credit=”Eric Lee | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Activists circle around the pond in front of the U.S. Capitol. [/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1098056″ credit=”Dean Whitelaw | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]The U.S. Capitol is seen between protestors’ signs. [/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1098053″ credit=”Sophie Monten | Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Activists cross Connecticut Avenue on their way to the monuments. [/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1098055″ credit=”Dean Whitelaw | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]A sticker reading “Facing extinction” hangs on a sign at the global strike for climate change. [/gwh_image]