Twenty-Six Arrested as Climate Change Protesters Cause Traffic Delays in D.C. on Monday Morning.
Intersections in Washington, D.C. were blocked on Monday morning causing delays as environmental activists participated in Shut Down DC, a protest that is “loosely associated with the Metro D.C. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of American and Black Lives Matter D.C.,” according to CBS News. Hundreds of people marched in the streets, while a handful of others chained themselves to a sailboat to paralyze traffic at Independence Avenue and 12th.
A spokesperson for Shut Down D.C., Mike Golash, said, “We hope with by our actions on Monday, we can raise public awareness of this issue and understand it’s just not going to be taken as business as usual, that we need some drastic action on climate change issues in the relatively near future.”
Twenty-six protesters were arrested for “unlawful demonstration activities” after blocking key intersections for hours around the nation’s Capitol.
Boat update: The sit-in at K and 16th is over. None of the protesters cut loose were arrested. Police are about to tow this thing out.
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) September 23, 2019
I’m hearing radio chatter on a blockade at Dupont Circle. Think I’ll run over for a look. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/Dzr7i7BGDE
Russel Gray with the group, Extinction Rebeliion, told reporters, “We’re here to disrupt business as usual. We feel that’s our only recourse.” He added, “as long as they’re thinking about climate change.”
The Extinction Rebellion outpost at Mass and 18th has doubled in size with the arrival of about 50 people carrying a “tell the truth” banner. The blockades are slowly lifting but a few groups have chosen to go mobile. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/T8yrUAF9av
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) September 23, 2019
Same group marching south on Connecticut with a police escort containing traffic impacts.
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) September 23, 2019
With the blockades over, they’re rendezvousing with others in Farragut Square to discuss next steps over ice cream. As for me, I’m heading out to edit. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/BR0MLlXnlj
Protesters shut down the intersection of 16th and K St, about two blocks away from the White House, to demand climate justice as part of #ShutDownDC. And yes, that is a sailboat in the background. pic.twitter.com/vlami1ZUOi
— Julia Boccagno (@juliaboccagno) September 23, 2019