People from around the world are showing support for this week’s conference on climate change in Paris with nothing but their shoes.
Following a string of terrorist attacks that rocked Paris earlier this month, the French government canceled all events coinciding with the United Nations’ 21st Conference of the Parties on curbing climate change, citing security concerns. Sunday’s march was expected to attract 200,000 people.
While forbidden to demonstrate, supporters instead decided to place their shoes where the march was to take place.
Pictures on social media display thousands of shoes, many with a note attached.
They cancelled the Paris climate march but our shoes are representing. #marchepourleclimat #COP21 pic.twitter.com/uu2v9gwRVz
— Bella Tonkonogy (@btonkono) November 28, 2015
Even world leaders took part in the display.
A Twitter account for the U.N. spokesperson tweeted out a picture of a pair of shoes owned by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.
#UNSG Ban Ki-moon donates shoes for #MarcheClimat #ClimateMarch, in #Paris, @COP21. pic.twitter.com/6LgNgnRjo4
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) November 29, 2015
BBC correspondent Matt McGrath tweeted, “20k empty shoes on display in Paris as symbolic climate protest. Inc these from Pope Francis!”
20k empty shoes on display in Paris as symbolic climate protest. Inc these from Pope Francis! #COP21 #ClimateMarch pic.twitter.com/xnYXox7xTM
— Matt McGrath (@MattMcGrathBBC) November 29, 2015
The U.N. climate conference in Paris begins Monday.
