Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after they blocked busy freeway

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Commuters in Washington got into a stunning clash with climate activists on their way to the nation’s capital on Friday, with one even threatening to shoot protesters blocking the highway.

A group called Declare state of emergencydemanding that President Joe Biden declare a “climate emergency,” sat down on I-395, one of the main routes to Washington, and refused to stand.

Blocking roads is a tactic largely used in the UK, where protesters have interrupted traffic to sound the alarm about climate change.

Their website and demands compare the climate threat to Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany before World War II, when “President Roosevelt united the country and led us in a struggle for universal decency.”

Those trying to get to work Friday morning were seen on video not really feeling the unit, with one getting out of his car and threatening, “Move before I pull out my gun.”

Washington commuters got into a stunning clash with climate activists on their way to the nation's capital on Friday, with one even threatening to shoot protesters blocking the highway.

Washington commuters got into a stunning clash with climate activists on their way to the nation’s capital on Friday, with one even threatening to shoot protesters blocking the highway.

1665197253 375 Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after

1665197253 375 Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after

A group called Declare Emergency, demanding that President Joe Biden declare a “climate emergency,” sat down on I-395, one of the main routes to Washington, and refused to stand.

Blocking roads is a tactic largely used in the UK, where protesters have interrupted traffic to sound the alarm about climate change

Blocking roads is a tactic largely used in the UK, where protesters have interrupted traffic to sound the alarm about climate change

Blocking roads is a tactic largely used in the UK, where protesters have interrupted traffic to sound the alarm about climate change

1665197254 329 Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after

1665197254 329 Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after

Their website and demands compare the climate threat to Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany before World War II, when “President Roosevelt united the country and led us in a struggle for universal decency”

The group's goal was to get President Biden to declare a climate emergency, which would allow him to bypass Congress and, they believe, save the planet.

The group's goal was to get President Biden to declare a climate emergency, which would allow him to bypass Congress and, they believe, save the planet.

The group’s goal was to get President Biden to declare a climate emergency, which would allow him to bypass Congress and, they believe, save the planet.

Footage shows another driver glaring at the group and saying: ‘People are trying to get to work, hundreds of people are trying to get to work. What are you doing?’

The group tweeted after the protest: “We don’t like to risk our bodies, we do it because we have to. We’ll keep doing it until[Biden] declares a climate emergency and stops the extraction of fossil fuels on federal and indigenous land.’

A 2022 study suggested that between 2005 and 2019, U.S. oil, gas, and coal production came from federal lands and waters.

A driver eventually stole two plates from the activists and threw them into the opposite lane. The protesters eventually let them through.

One of the commuters began trying to preach the Bible to the Declare Emergency protesters.

Local authorities eventually arrived at the protest for about half an hour and arrested the activists, to the applause of several drivers.

1665197254 809 Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after

1665197254 809 Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after

The group tweeted after the protest: “We don’t like to risk our bodies, we do it because we have to. We’ll keep doing it until[Biden] declares a climate emergency and stops the extraction of fossil fuels on federal and indigenous land.’

Local authorities finally arrived about half an hour after the protest and arrested the activists, to the applause of several drivers

Local authorities finally arrived about half an hour after the protest and arrested the activists, to the applause of several drivers

Local authorities finally arrived about half an hour after the protest and arrested the activists, to the applause of several drivers

1665197255 898 Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after

1665197255 898 Outraged DC commuters threaten to SHOOT climate change protesters after

The group tweeted after the protest: “We don’t like to risk our bodies, we do it because we have to. We’ll keep doing it until[Biden] declares a climate emergency and stops the extraction of fossil fuels on federal and indigenous land.’

In July, President Biden warned members of Congress that if they don’t take action to fight climate change, he will.

Biden’s threat came after Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin torpedoed the president’s green agenda on Capitol Hill when he said he couldn’t support billions of dollars in new climate spending as part of a larger economic package.

The president has vowed to use his executive powers ever since Manchin, which represents a state with a large coal industry, made his intentions clear.

But the president stopped declaring a national emergency on Wednesday, which would release federal resources to address the issue, despite heavy pressure from members of his party to do so.

He has yet to declare one, but the White House said it was an option a few months ago.

“The climate emergency won’t happen tomorrow, but we still have it on the table,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Tuesday’s daily press conference. “I didn’t circle a date in the calendar.”

In July, President Biden warned members of Congress that if they don't take action to fight climate change, he will.

In July, President Biden warned members of Congress that if they don't take action to fight climate change, he will.

In July, President Biden warned members of Congress that if they don’t take action to fight climate change, he will.

Biden's threat came after Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin torpedoed the president's green agenda on Capitol Hill when he said he couldn't support billions of dollars in new climate spending as part of a larger economic package.

Biden's threat came after Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin torpedoed the president's green agenda on Capitol Hill when he said he couldn't support billions of dollars in new climate spending as part of a larger economic package.

Biden’s threat came after Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin torpedoed the president’s green agenda on Capitol Hill when he said he couldn’t support billions of dollars in new climate spending as part of a larger economic package.

But the president will announce federal funds in his remarks to help heat-stricken communities. And he will announce new initiatives to strengthen the domestic offshore wind industry.

Last week, Biden said he would take executive action on climate issues after talks between Manchin and Senate leader Chuck Schumer stalled.