WASHINGTON — Climate change protestors from “Shut Down DC” blocked intersections in the district on Monday morning, causing gridlock in the city and increasing carbon emissions.
A post on the “DCMediaGroup” Twitter account read, “Snarled traffic throughout downtown WashingtonDC. Here @DemoSocialists shut NJ Ave. #ClimateAction.”
#ShutdownDC a coordinated climate emergency action has snarled traffic throughout downtown WashingtonDC. Here @DemoSocialists shut NJ Ave. #ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/m8bJMK9tIG
— DCMediaGroup (@DCMediaGroup) September 23, 2019
“Drivers are irate at 9th St and Mount Vernon Ave where #ExtinctionRebellion is blocking with banners. #ShutDownDC,” another tweet on the “DCMediaGroup” account read.
The protestors held signs that read “Capitalism is Killing The Planet,” “Green New Deal” and “Bezos Earns Our Planet Burns.”
Drivers are irate at 9th St and Mount Vernon Ave where #ExtinctionRebellion is blocking with banners. #ShutDownDC pic.twitter.com/WM7eyth7CH
— DCMediaGroup (@DCMediaGroup) September 23, 2019
Twitter users pointed out that the protestors are actually raising emissions by blocking traffic.
This is only creating more traffic, more idling card, more emissions into the air. this is extremely ironic lmao #ShutDownDC
— 🎋 (@HunchoZ0) September 23, 2019
Blocking streets and turning 30 min commutes into 2 hr commutes to reduce carbon emissions is peak idiocy #ShutDownDC #dcclimatestrike
— Skip Estes (@Skip_Estes) September 23, 2019
#ShutDownDC is allowing more emissions into the air by making cars sit longer. Great Job Girls and Boys! Someone did not think that through…
— VA Mom (@Nicci_B85) September 23, 2019
Some supporters of the protest did not agree with the approach.
This whole #ShutDownDC is just backwards thinking at its finest. Agree with the message, completely disagree with the execution! The disruptions will increase emissions and the focus will be on street blockages, not climate change.
— Will Metzfield (@willmetzfield) September 23, 2019
I’m all for climate change protest but #shutdowndc is counterproductive. The emissions output all these vehicles is hurting the environment.
— Road Dawg (@jahmani3) September 23, 2019
Huge love for #ShutDownDC but wish the consequence of all those blocked streets wasn’t keeping cars pumping out emissions in traffic even longer
— Nina Belforte (@NinaBelforte) September 23, 2019
I’m pro drawing attention, pro making it impossible for people to just carry on as usual. But I have questions about #shutdowndc’s aims wrt climate change when they’re making cars idle and thus sending out more environment-destroying emissions.
— Robyn Swirling (@RSwirling) September 23, 2019
Some D.C. residents took to Twitter to voice their frustration with the protestors.
“#ShutDownDC–c’mon guys, there are literally dozens of environmental nonprofits with offices in DC. We’re just trying to get to workkkkkkkk,” wrote user @ruffian_red.
Another user @sasquasages wrote, “Everyone at #ShutDownDC… get a job.”
User @UndeadDad tweeted, “I’m sure @realDonaldTrump thanks you for your tireless efforts in getting him a second term. #ShutDownDC.”
“Thanks #ShutDownDC for all the doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals who couldn’t make it to their a.m. appointments,” wrote Twitter user @kristinleigh_93.
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