Protesters shut down DC intersections to demand shift to renewable energy

Climate change protesters took to the streets of Washington, D.C., on Monday, temporarily shutting down several key intersections during rush hour to demand an immediate halt to fossil fuel production and a swift transition to renewable energy.

The demonstrations, organized by a coalition called Shut Down DC, coincided with the opening of the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.

#ShutDownDC is blocking the intersection in front of the American Petroleum Institute—the biggest fossil fuel lobbying group in the world.

The Earth is on fire, and API is pouring gasoline on the flames. Who’s to blame for climate destruction? Not your straws. It’s these guys. pic.twitter.com/JZlKynpJlf

— 350 DC (@350_DC) September 23, 2019

We’ve completely blocked the streets by the Capitol. This disruption is temporary—but the climate crisis is permanent. We’re here because we need the leaders in that building to wake up and start acting like our house is on fire. Because it is. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/sTdlW2oclE

— 350 DC (@350_DC) September 23, 2019

Giovanni Tamacas, spokesperson for protesters who blocked traffic just three blocks from the White House by placing a sailboat in an intersection, said demonstrators turned to civil disobedience because other forms of protest like permitted rallies and petitions weren’t having the desired impact.

“You don’t get mad at the fire alarm for waking you in the middle of the night when there is a fire in your home. You don’t get mad at the fire alarm. You act,” Tamacas told The Hill. “That’s what we are. We are the voice. We are the fire alarm for our burning planet.”

Shut Down D.C. is calling for the adoption of the Green New Deal and a global halt to deforestation by 2030. 

#ClimateStrike blockades all over DC this morning. #ShutdownDC system change not climate change pic.twitter.com/hGxdGchOrT

— Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) (@CJAOurPower) September 23, 2019

Cars and trucks are trying to turn around after meeting climate change protesters near New York Avenue and 395. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/e8NIvIKOQh

— WUSA9 (@wusa9) September 23, 2019

Kristen Metzger, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department, said police arrested 26 people at a separate intersection on Monday morning. She said she expected that number to rise as the day goes on.

Many of the intersections were blocked by debris as well as protesters.

{mosads}The intersection of 16th and K Street NW, just north of the White House, was blocked by a pink and yellow sailboat with the words “Rebel for Life” and “Tell the Truth” emblazoned on the side.

The sailboat, brought by activist group Extinction Rebellion, acted as a barricade as protesters held a dance party. 

The protesters left the boat in the intersection attached to a trailer with deflated tires. Police hauled the boat out of the intersection using a tow truck around 10 a.m.

I’m in downtown DC where climate activists with Extinction Rebellion have blocked the intersection of K and 16th streets with a big sailboat that says “rebel for life.” @WTOP @WTOPtraffic #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/NWIO1aRvM3

— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) September 23, 2019

Some of these protesters are actually bound to each other inside these metal tubes linked to the sailboat. Seems like they’re in it for the long haul. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/VJoNgKPRT9

— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) September 23, 2019

Monday’s protests in the nation’s capital came on the heels of Friday’s global climate strike, where more than 1 million were estimated to have protested in cities around the world to demand government action on climate change.

Last week’s protest was a part of the Fridays for Future movement, inspired by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg. Thunberg started the movement in 2018 by protesting in front of the Swedish Parliament every school day for three weeks and later began protesting every Friday.