Climate Change Protesters Commence Weeklong Attempt to Shut Down Washington

The group calls themselves “Shutdown D.C.,” and Monday’s action was only the start in a long week of protesting methods.

A Worthy Protest?

Some protesters have gone so far as to chain themselves to items blocking the intersection. The police have to go and saw them free in an attempt to clear the barrage.

The climate protesters are now throwing confetti and dancing in the intersection while chanting "Climate Justice, now!" pic.twitter.com/ozkZZVLJuT

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) September 23, 2019

There are dumpster fires, confetti being thrown, and more. However, some on Twitter are pointing out that these protestor actions are only causing more damage to the environment than if they weren’t interfering. For example, the hundreds of cars that are now sitting there are emitting fossil fuels, and all of the litterings are bad for the environment.

"HEY HEY HO HO FOSSIL FUELS HAVE GOT TO GO, DON'T MIND THE TRASH THAT I'M LITTERING THOUGH"

So brave. 🙄😂 #ShutDownDC #Idiots
pic.twitter.com/r1ur5y7nVk

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) September 23, 2019

However, as Monday went on, the groups started to clear and traffic was able to move through.

A Week-Wide Shutdown

According to the group’s website, they’re attempting to standstill the entire city, shouting remarks that people are dying due to climate change. The goal is to get Washington to move away from fossil fuels and into a more sustainable form of energy. Considering the protests started this past Friday in New York, which may very well have been the largest climate control protest ever, things are only just getting started. By the 27th, Shutdown D.C. hopes to commit daily acts of protest, with actions occurring across the world in over 150 countries. Many believe these actions were inspired by Greta Thunberg, a child activist recognized worldwide for her stance on climate change. Shutdown D.C. is calling for decarbonization of the atmosphere and democratization of our economies, the site states. However, there’s nothing about the group presenting alternatives to fossil fuels, only that they’re protesting the use of them. We’ll have to see how the situation proceeds as the week goes on. What do you think about the Shutdown D.C. protest? Are you for or against the action, despite whatever consequences it may have? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Images courtesy of Pixabay, Twitter.