- The Congressional Baseball Game is an annual tradition that started in 1909
- In 2017, a mass shooting occurred during a pre-match practice session
At least eight climate change protesters have been arrested by police in Washington DC after storming the field during the annual Congressional Baseball Game.
At this annual event – which began in 1909 – Republicans and Democrats put aside their differences for charity, but they could not escape political scrutiny on Wednesday evening as several demonstrators made their voices heard.
After pro-Palestinian flags were unfurled in the crowd, anti-climate change protesters were seen jumping barriers and storming the field at Nationals Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals.
The match was halted amid chaotic scenes, with some protesters rushing as soon as they landed on the pitch, while others escaped for a few seconds before being tackled to the ground.
As police arrested protesters on the field, clips posted online showed other spectators chanting “USA!” UNITED STATES!’
Police officers attempt to arrest protesters who stormed the field during the charity game
The group – from Climate Defiance – wore shirts that read ‘End Fossil Fuels’ while handcuffed
In the stands, pro-Palestinian protesters also unfurled flags and chanted, while others booed
On They are now behind bars.
“Make no mistake: it is the members of Congress who need to be locked up.”
The protesters who stormed the field and wreaked havoc during the charity game wore shirts that read “End Fossil Fuels,” while others held up signs that read “Stop playing games with our future.”
In another clip, police officers were seen ripping Palestinian flags from protesters’ hands as other supporters jeered at the unruly scenes. Others raised signs reading “Free Palestine.”
Before the game, a police officer stands in the tunnel at Nationals Park with his gun
Three police officers and a security guard try to stop a climate change protester
The match in Nationals Park was marred by several protests in the early stages
At least eight protesters were arrested as the group bragged about their presence on social media
This isn’t the first time the Congressional Baseball Game has led to troubling scenes, after a mass shooting occurred during a practice session in 2017.
On June 14, 66-year-old James Hodgkinson shot six people, including US House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, US Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner, congressional aide Zack Barth and lobbyist Matt Mik, before being shot and killing himself.
The ‘act of terrorism’ ended after a ten-minute gun battle between Hodgkinson – a left-wing activist – and the police, during which the perpetrator was killed.