Activists seek to shut down DC over climate change

September 23, 2019 12:00 am • Last Updated: September 23, 2019 12:01 pm

By Ashraf Khalil, Associated Press

Protesters block traffic near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. A broad coalition of climate and social justice organizations are disrupting the morning rush hour commute. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

WASHINGTON — Hundreds of activists blocked major intersections across the nation's capital Monday, demanding immediate government action on climate change.

Under the banner of ShutDownDC, a broad coalition of activist groups sought to bring the morning traffic in the capital city to a standstill.

At one site about three blocks from the White House, activists parked a yellow and pink sailboat in the middle of the intersection with several protesters handcuffed to the frame.

Washington police have a standing policy to avoid mass arrests of protesters, if possible. And even those protesters who had to be cut free from the sailboat with welding equipment were not arrested.

The Metropolitan Police Department did arrest 26 people who were blocking the entrance to a major tunnel.

Protesters block the intersection of K and 16th Street NW, near the White House in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. A broad coalition of climate and social justice organizations are disrupting the morning rush hour commute. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Sarah Otto and her son Ladon Westbrook, 7, right, attend a Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund protest that blocks traffic along Independence Avenue and 12th Street Southwest near the National Mall in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. A broad coalition of climate and social justice organizations are disrupting the morning rush hour commute. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Patrick Young, an organizer with Rising Tide North America, speaks at a Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund protest while blocking traffic along Independence Avenue and 12th Street Southwest near the National Mall in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. A broad coalition of climate and social justice organizations are disrupting the morning rush hour commute. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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