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Climate protests halt traffic in Washington

There were more than two dozen arrests in the nation’s capital over this morning’s “Shut Down DC” climate crisis protests.

The US Capitol as backdrop to climate crisis protests

Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Strategically staged as a direct action, demonstrators blocked major commuter arteries in Washington, DC.

Climate activists blocked morning commuter traffic this morning in Washington. The protests coincided with a on-day UN Climate Action Summit in New York, in the week of the United Nations General Assembly. Photograph: UPI/Barcroft Media

At least 26 people had been arrested before 9.30AM, according to the capital’s Metropolitan Police Department. The protests were organized under the umbrella of at least 20 organizations, including 350.org, Black Lives Matter, Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the Earth, with the hashtag #ShutDownDC, demanding “sweeping action” on the climate crisis.

Climate activists on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill today Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP

Crowds blocked traffic, causing gridlock, as they demanded action from world leaders. They were part of the global climate strike led by youth activists that brought many millions of people out to protest last Friday in the largest climate protest in history.

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