by PAUL SACCA
A demonstration in Washington, D.C., against fossil fuel projects turned violent Thursday when climate change protesters stormed the U.S. Department of the Interior building and occupied a space inside the federal building for hours.
There have been protests this week in Washington, D.C., as part of the People Vs. Fossil Fuels demonstrations, demanding President Joe Biden to declare a national climate emergency and end fossil fuel projects. The activists are fiercely against oil pipelines such as the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota.
We are at the White House with a clear message.
No. More. Pipelines.@JoeBiden, it's time to #StopLine3 and all fossil fuel projects. #PeopleVsFossilFuels pic.twitter.com/oXlyHH42Bg
— People vs. Fossil Fuels (@FightFossils) October 12, 2021
People of faith are in Washington, D.C. this week to answer the call of Indigenous and frontline water protectors to demand @POTUS place people over fossil fuels. It’s time for the President to pick a side. #PeopleVsFossilFuels #Faiths4Climate #BuildBackFossilFree pic.twitter.com/SXx94g1mqw
— GreenFaith (@greenfaithworld) October 11, 2021
Each day, the protests have different climate change-related themes:
- Monday, October 11: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Tuesday, October 12: Fossil fuels are driving the climate crisis
- Wednesday, October 13: Climate chaos is happening now
- Thursday, October 14: We need real solutions, not false promises
- Friday, October 15: We did not vote for fossil fuels (youth-led action)
In the first three days of protests, nearly 300 climate change activists were arrested, according to organizers of the People Vs. Fossil Fuels demonstrations.
The protests escalated to violence during Thursday’s protests when activists attempted to barge into the Department of the Interior building. An Interior Department spokeswoman told the Associated Press that a group of protesters rushed the lobby of the federal building.
Washington Post reporter Ellie Silverman shared video of climate change activists infiltrating the Department of the Interior building on Oct. 14.
“Climate protesters are pushing police, trying to force their way into the Department of the Interior where other activists have made it inside in an attempt to occupy the building,” Silverman wrote on Twitter.
Here’s the scene outside. A Park Police car recently pulled up. Climate protesters are in DC all week demanding Biden to stop approving fossil fuel projects & declare a national climate emergency. Read how Indigenous people are leading this fight https://t.co/urgaAe2IrJ pic.twitter.com/me6cnBV6ht
— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11) October 14, 2021
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People appear to be able to walk through the entrance for a moment, but police are blocking the doorway again. Those inside are sitting in a circle and holding hands. pic.twitter.com/uYI7zxwu1p
— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11) October 14, 2021
Police and protesters clashed during the confrontation. The police reportedly used Tasers in order to control the crowd attempting to bulldoze their way into the Department of Interior building.
“Some activists are walking away from the doorway hurt, and protesters are yelling for medics to help,” Silverman reported.
“Put the tasers down!” protesters chant at police who are using tasers to clear the crowd around the doorway of the Department of the Interior. Some activists are walking away from the doorway hurt, and protesters are yelling for medics to help. pic.twitter.com/4SvT9tfuYT
— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11) October 14, 2021
Climate activists took over the space held by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for roughly four hours. This was reportedly the first time since the 1970s that the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., was occupied. The Indigenous Environmental Network, one of the organizers of the People Vs. Fossil Fuels demonstrations, are demanding the Biden administration abolish the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs.
There were allegedly more than 50 occupiers in the building. Some are seen sitting in a circle on the floor with their hands zip-tied together to make them more difficult to be removed.
BREAKING: Indigenous Leaders are occupying the Bureau of Indian Affairs in DC for the first time since the 1970's. #PeopleVsFossilFuels
INSIDE THE BUILDING: pic.twitter.com/bnvnRE7ZrD
— People vs. Fossil Fuels (@FightFossils) October 14, 2021
Security personnel suffered “multiple injuries” during the clash – including one officer who needed to be transported to a nearby hospital, according to Jim Goodwin, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was reportedly traveling on Thursday and was not in the building during the protest.