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Protesters Mark President Trump's First 100 Days With Boston Common Rally

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Organizers of a rally on Boston Common say they're marking President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office by protesting his agenda so far.

The rally was part of a nationwide chain of protests designed to bring attention to what protesters say is the president's weak environmental record.

Leaders of civic, political, and religious groups were all represented at the rally. Rally participant Rev. Mariama White-Hammond says the rally is to get Washington to pay attention.

"We believe that our politicians have to listen. So we believe that President Trump is changing his tune a little bit, so he's started to understand how we the people want to protect our climate," White-Hammond said.

"We want to leave a better planet for our grand kids. Who could be against that?" she said.

Rally participant Maria Belen Power said she was there to speak out for the less fortunate.

"We're here speaking on behalf of the communities most affected by climate change. Those are low income communities of color," Power said.

The rally began at noon on the common. Organizers included unions, local community groups, environmental groups, and religious and faith leaders.

Participants say they have one purpose--to send a clear signal to Washington that climate matters.

"We believe that the climate movement shouldn't be just about emissions or solar panels," White-Hammond said.

Power says the climate and justice issues affect Massachusetts residents.

"Chelsea is one of the most densely populated and diverse low-income communities in the Commonwealth. Yet we're carrying some of the biggest environmental burdens in the region," Power said.

Organizers pointed the fact that building solar panels and other renewable energy products can bring jobs to Massachusetts.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Doug Cope reports

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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