Mary Troyan, and Doug Stanglin

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Seven protesters from the environmental group Greenpeace climbed a 270-foot crane Wednesday at a construction site in downtown Washington and unfurled a "Resist" banner visible from the White House to demonstrate opposition to President Trump.

Greenpeace spokesman Travis Nichols said the huge yellow and orange banner with the word "Resist" is a continuation of protests that started with Trump's inauguration last week.

"The activists from around the country are still in place, calling for those who want to resist Trump’s attacks on environmental, social, economic and educational justice to contribute to a better America," the environmental group said in a statement.

The protesters began slowly descending the crane Wednesday afternoon, several hours after they took it over mid-morning near 15th and L Street NW, about four blocks north of the White House.

Two protesters hanging from the 70-foot by 35-foot banner swayed in the wind, waving at a police helicopter that flew by. They also appeared to be providing ballast to keep the banner from folding up into the wind and obscuring their message.

Greenpeace also issued a statement that it said was from Pearl Robinson, one of the activists who unfurled the banner — framed against a bright blue sky — that could easily be seen from the White House.

“The sun has risen this morning on a new America, but it isn’t Donald Trump’s,” Robinson said. "I fear not only the policies of the incoming administration, but also the people emboldened by this election to commit acts of violence and hate. Now is the time to resist."

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The environmental group singled out its opposition to early moves by the Trump Administration, including bringing back the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines, the removal of mentions of climate change and LGBTQ rights on the White House website and what it called a "press gag order" on employees of the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture.

By the time police arrived to the scene, three people had already attached themselves to the crane and another four had joined them, Capt. Robert Glover of the Metropolitan Police Department’s special operations division told reporters.

The protesters told police they’re conducting a First Amendment action, he said. “Time is on our side,” Glover said. “Safety is our foremost mission this morning.”

A police statement on Twitter was more blunt: “While we respect everyone’s right to protest, today’s actions are extremely dangerous and unlawful."

Workers in suits and ties and others in construction hard hats tilted camera phones up to record the stunt, marveling at how they got up there and whether law enforcement were going to force them down.

"It's amazing," said Joyce Weru, who works at a nonprofit down the street. "This is a bold expression, a bold statement, but peaceful."

"This is what makes America great. I'm speechless. They are risking their lives to do this. I guess it's really heartfelt for them," she added.

Francisco Vela, 34, had a hard time getting to work at a building next to the site because of the protest.

"It's hard to believe how people risk their lives to do this but in a way I understand why," he said.

Watching two protesters dangle from the banner, Vega said he supported the message.

"Being Hispanic, I don't like when he talks about sending people back to Mexico," he said about Trump. "We are here to work. I've been here almost 20 years. The U.S. is my home country."

Stanglin reported from McLean, Va.