Dozens of protesters filled the U.S. Department of the Interior building on Thursday for a climate sit-in, following a march through Washington, D.C., that drew hundreds of people, The Washington Post reported. This came as the group looked to speak with Interior Department Secretary Deb Haaland.
Those who could not enter the building attempted to push past police, which led to shoving and some police using their Tasers.
Thursday marked the fourth day of protests as part of the ongoing demonstrations by People vs. Fossil Fuels. These activists are demanding that President Joe Biden declare a national climate emergency and cease approval of fossil fuel projects.
Native American activists in the building focused on occupying the space held by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Indigenous Environmental Network wrote that this marked the first time the bureau had been occupied since 1970.
“We will no longer allow the U.S. government to separate us from our relationship to the sacred knowledge of Mother Earth and all who depend on her,” the group wrote.
“Politicians do not take care of us,” it continued, “Presidents will break their promises, but Mother Earth has always given us what we need to thrive. We will not back down until our natural balance is restored.”
Photo by Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
