Left-wing climate protesters hit the D.C. streets Monday, vandalizing a statue of former President Andrew Jackson and swarming the White House while warning President Biden to take their demands seriously.
The Build Back Fossil Free coalition took to the DC streets Monday with their five-day-long protest’s aim to spur action by the Biden administration against climate change, mainly by declaring a national emergency and ending projects involving fossil fuels.
Siqiñiq Maupin, director of coalition core member the Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic, told Fox News in a Monday email statement that the protest was happening because they believe Biden needs to follow through on his campaign promises.
“People are dying right now from the pollutants, the toxins, the climate catastrophes that are happening â and we have to stop the harm,” Maupin wrote. “Bidenâs election was riding on climate change; his entire election hinged on turning out people of color and Indigenous people.”
“But when it really comes to what matters, our lives are still being sacrificed for oil and gas,” Maupin continued. “Thatâs why weâre here today.”
So far, Mondayâs protest has seen the U.S. Park Police warn of police action should the demonstrators not disperse and a protester arrested while screaming she did “not want to die.”
The Secret Service handcuff an Indigenous women who is on the ground and crying out: âI donât want to die!â
Sheâs part of the crowd in front of the White House demanding Biden end fossil fuel projects and declare a national climate emergency pic.twitter.com/Jla4GxVWb4
— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11) October 11, 2021
Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich noted that protesters were heard chanting for Biden to “respect” them or to “expect” them, scrawling “expect us” in graffiti on Jacksonâs statue outside the White House.
Jackson statue in front of White House vandalized – protesters chanting ârespect us or expect usâ pic.twitter.com/ifj1UG6I3w
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) October 11, 2021
The coalition is a climate change-focused nonprofit aimed at ensuring “Biden becomes the climate president he promised to be” according to its website, and is supported by several businesses and organizations, including Ben & Jerryâs and Patagonia.
Each day of protest will feature a theme, with Monday’s protest being centered on Indigenous Peoples Day.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox Newsâ request for comment on the protest.