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| Credit: DCist |
“We’re going in”
Activists blockade key intersections in downtown DC to demand action on the climate crisis
Unless you were living under a rock, you probably noticed something was a little differentduring your Monday morning commute. Activists from various coalitions across the region gathered in the streets to disrupt “business-as-usual” and demonstrate the need for action on climate change. It is estimated that more than 2,000 took part in Monday’s demonstration which effectively shut down the downtown area for most of the morning. Residual delays were felt well into the early afternoon.
The coalition, made up of climate, health, and social justice groups, have decided to repeat the event this Friday, September 27th – the last day of the Global Climate Strike. From the press release we received late in the afternoon on Monday:
#ShutDownDC builds on the recent surge of student-led climate strikes and mass protests that have rattled politicians around the world. The blockade of the U.S. capital is also timed to coincide with the start on Monday of the UN Climate Action Summit in New York.
The coalition’s demands include a Green New Deal that brings about a swift and just transition to 100% renewable energy. It also wants governments to protect at least 50% of the world’s lands and oceans, and to halt deforestation by 2030. The coalition is also calling for climate justice for everyone. The transition to a clean future must boost rather than further harm communities hit by poverty and pollution.
If we’re measuring the success of the protests by “Stopping Business-As-Usual” then Monday’s protests were definitely successful; all morning commutes through the 3rd St Tunnel ground to a haltand were at a complete standstill for more than an hour before finally being diverted toward H St. Protesters fanned out to block more than 20 separate intersections across the city to call attention to their cause, the main points being the 3rd St Tunnel off of New York Ave (near 395), 12th and Independence, North Capitol & Mass Ave, and 16th & K.
From local CBS affiliate WUSA on Monday morning:
The demonstrations are creating havoc as morning rush hour is underway downtown.
“We hope by our actions on Monday, we can raise public awareness of this issue and understand it’s just not going to be taken as business as usual, that we need some drastic action on climate change issues in the relatively near future,” said a spokesman for Shut Down D.C., Mike Golash
Regardless of how you feel about the tactic, it’s hard to deny that the protesters were clearly having some fun.
#ShutDownDC is a rolling blockade/dance party. I love it. Conversations about the climate crisis are so often fear & dread (as they should be) — but that doesn’t mean there can’t be joy in the fight. We’re demanding the just world we need, and we’re going to dance while we do it. pic.twitter.com/18zn8baNRF
— Devyn Powell 🌹🌅 (@DevynFromOregon) September 23, 2019
Members of Black Lives Matter and local healthcare workers teamed up to provide some free health care services right in the middle of 2nd St SE:
Black Lives Matter and healthcare workers fighting for climate justice set up a free blood pressure clinic in the middle of the road. “We know that climate injustice and environmental racism are fueled by the same systems of white supremacy, capitalism, imperialism, patriarchy and colonialism from which we seek to liberate Black people,” said Nee Nee Taylor, Direct Action Coordinator with Black Lives Matter DMV. “We know that Black people in DC, Black people in this country, and Black people across the diaspora will continue to be the most impacted by climate disaster.”
The movememt is UNSTOPPABLE. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/JejBoQk8R2
— BlackLivesMatter DC (@DMVBlackLives) September 23, 2019
We can expect more of the same this Friday, starting at 7 am. From Jane Reckerwith the Washingtonian:
The group that snarled traffic all morning is planning to take to the streets again on Friday, September 27.
According to Shut Down DC spokesperson Kaela Bamberger, the group decided in a meeting today to take action again at 7 a.m. this Friday morning. Representatives from each of Shut Down DC’s affinity groups were overjoyed with the success and attention today’s action garnered, and wanted to do something to honor the final day of the global climate strikes.
“Today’s action was a huge success in terms of…ultimately achieving our goal to disrupt business as usual,” Bamberger said. “This [shutdown]serves as a beacon in terms of tactic to having an effective action, calling for climate solutions, and in the amount of attention [it received online.]
The group has not determined the exact details of Friday’s action, but Bamberger expects an even larger group of protestors after the attention garnered by today’s 2000 some activists.
So commuters, please plan ahead! If you want to see more about Monday’s protest check out the organizers’ Facebook page – Strike DC. You can also follow #ShutDownDCon social media for updates.
Let us know how this has affected you by tweeting at us or commenting on the Facebookor blog. We’re also curious to know if people in the region are pro or against the shut down protests, so let us know! You can also email us your opinions at NewColumbiaHeights@gmail.com
