Photos: Shutdown DC protests disrupt Monday morning commute

1/27 A protester holds a sign during the Shutdown D.C. rally on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

2/27 A protester holds a sign on the facts and myths of climate change during the Shutdown D.C. protest on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

3/27 Protesters demand action on climate change during Shutdown D.C. on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

4/27 Protesters write on the pavement between 12th Street and Independence Avenue SW in D.C. on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

5/27 Protesters write on the pavement between 12th Street and Independence Avenue SW in D.C. on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

6/27 Climate activists participate in a ‘Shut Down DC’ protest to urge action on the climate crisis, on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

Climate activists participate in a 'Shut Down DC' protest to urge action on the climate crisis, on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

7/27 Protesters with Extinction Rebellion stage a sit-in beneath their sailboat blockade at the intersection of K and 16th streets in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation’s capital.

Protesters with Extinction Rebellion stage a sit-in beneath their sailboat blockade at the intersection of K and 16th streets in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

8/27 A protester with Extinction Rebellion wears a snorkel near a sailboat blocking the intersection of K and 16th streets in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation’s capital.

A protester with Extinction Rebellion wears a snorkel near a sailboat blocking the intersection of K and 16th streets in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

9/27 Protesters with Extinction Rebellion use a sailboat to block the intersection of K and 16th streets in downtown Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation’s capital.

Protesters with Extinction Rebellion use a sailboat to block the intersection of K and 16th streets in downtown Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

10/27 Environmental activists pressure lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation’s capital on Sept. 23, 2019.

Environmental activists pressure lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital on Sept. 23, 2019. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

11/27 A member of Extinction rebellion hoists the group’s hourglass emblem on a sailboat blocking the intersection of K and 16th streets in downtown D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation’s capital.

A member of Extinction rebellion hoists the group's hourglass emblem on a sailboat blocking the intersection of K and 16th streets in downtown D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

12/27 A protester explains her blocking of traffic to commuters impacted by an Extinction Rebellion action in downtown D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation’s capital.

A protester explains justifies her blocking of traffic to commuters impacted by an Extinction Rebellion action in downtown D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

13/27 Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation’s capital.

Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

14/27 Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation’s capital.

Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

15/27 Using metal chain links and tubes, Extinction Rebellion protesters bound themselves to their sailboat to prolong their occupation of a K Street intersection.

Using metal chain links and tubes, Extinction Rebellion protesters bound themselves to their sailboat to prolong their occupation of a K Street intersection. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

16/27 While D.C. police pushed onlookers back from the sailboat as they worked to extract bound protesters, about 100 people remained to cheer on their colleagues as police wheeled in a generator and electric saw.

While D.C. police pushed onlookers back from the sailboat as they worked to extract bound protesters, about 100 people remained to cheer on their colleagues as police wheeled in a generator and electric saw. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

17/27 In order to protect Extinction Rebellion protesters from sparks during their removal, D.C. police provided them with flame-resistant blankets and ear protection.

In order to protect Extinction Rebellion protesters from sparks during their removal, D.C. police provided them with flame-resistant blankets and ear protection. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

18/27 For the better part of an hour, sparks flew on K Street as D.C. police used a buzzsaw to extract protesters from the hull of the sailboat they’d attached themselves to.

For the better part of an hour, sparks flew on K Street as D.C. police used a buzzsaw to extract protesters from the hull of the sailboat they'd attached themselves to. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

19/27 A group of Extinction Rebellion protesters hold the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 18th streets near Dupont Circle, chaining themselves to ladders.

A group of Extinction Rebellion protesters hold the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 18th streets near Dupont Circle, chaining themselves to ladders. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

20/27 A group of Extinction Rebellion protesters hold the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 18th streets near Dupont Circle, chaining themselves to ladders.

A group of Extinction Rebellion protesters hold the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 18th streets near Dupont Circle, chaining themselves to ladders. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

21/27 Climate activists participate in a ‘Shut Down DC’ protest to urge action on the climate crisis, on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

Climate activists participate in a 'Shut Down DC' protest to urge action on the climate crisis, on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

22/27 Climate activists participate in a ‘Shut Down DC’ protest to urge action on the climate crisis, on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

Climate activists participate in a 'Shut Down DC' protest to urge action on the climate crisis, on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

23/27 WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: A climate change protester blocks traffic during a protest to shut down D.C. on September 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. The protesters are urging climate action and want the reallocation of the budget away from the military to fund a Green New Deal.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: A climate change protester blocks traffic during a protest to shut down D.C. on September 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. The protesters are urging climate action and want the reallocation of the budget away from the military to fund a Green New Deal. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

24/27 WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: Climate change protesters block traffic during a protest to shut down D.C. on September 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. The protesters are for urging climate action and want the reallocation of the budget away from the military to fund a Green New Deal.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: Climate change protesters block traffic during a protest to shut down D.C. on September 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. The protesters are for urging climate action and want the reallocation of the budget away from the military to fund a Green New Deal. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

(Getty Images/Mark Wilson) 25/27 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

26/27 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.

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)

(AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) 27/27 This intersection one block north of the White House is entirely frozen. I’m witnessing a climate-themed, impromptu block party with masked “polar bears.” A few dozen police gathering nearby. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/rZNoWZ78Yp — Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) September 23, 2019