Climate protesters tackled on field at Congressional baseball game
Police arrest eight Climate Defiance members on Wednesday brandishing END FOSSIL FUELS T-shirts Eight climate protesters were arrested during the Congressional Baseball Game as they rushed onto the field before being swiftly tackled by police officers. The group hailed from youth-led protest group Climate Defiance which described the game, which is held annually by members of US Congress , as Chevron-sponsored and unconscionable. US Capitol Police quickly intercepted the group all sporting T-shirts adorned with Climate Defiances logo and END FOSSIL FUELS as they hopped over the barrier during the second inning of Wednesdays baseball game at at Nationals Park in Washington DC . All eight protesters were booked on federal charges, including interference with a police officer, authorities said. We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game + play has FROZEN!, the protest group wrote on X/Twitter in the early hours of Thursday morning. Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels but the police are tackling us instead. This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unconscionable, it added. Climate Defiances members began protesting prior to the start time, with police being aware of the protests and formulating a contingency plan ahead of the game, authorities said. We are proud of our officers who are working to keep everyone safe during tonights Congressional Baseball Game for Charity, US Capitol Police wrote in a statement on X after the arrests were made. Climate protesters were not the only group to disrupt the game. Prior to the first pitch being thrown during the colors presentation, continuing into the national anthem, approximately a dozen Gaza protesters began demonstrating in opposition to the US governments support of Israel. Several pro-Palestine supporters, some sporting keffiyehs and unfurling posters, were removed by security. Republican baseball fans responded with chants of USA, drowning out the protesters. Were here to shame Congress for participating and sponsoring and funding a genocide, a Gaza protestor told ABC News. The protests come seven years after House Majority Leader, Steve Scalise , was left fighting for his life after being shot on-field at the Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia during a congressional ball game. The Republican was struck through the hip and pelvis after gunman James Hodgkinson arrived at the field near the third base side in a white van and opened fire. Five people in total were wounded and after exchanging fire with police, Hodgkinson was shot dead. A Park Police helicopter whiksked Scalise away to MedStar Hospital where he received treatment and has since recovered. Security tackle the protesters Reuters Police swarmed the activists as they hopped onto the field in the second inning TikTok All eight Climate Defiance members were arrested, according to authorities Reuters Eight climate protestors stormed Wednesdays annual Congressional Baseball Game Reuters Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Log in New to The Independent? Or if you would prefer: Want an ad-free experience? Hi {{indy.fullName}}