A climate group tweeted video of individuals stopping traffic on the interstate Monday, demanding change from the president on Indigenous People’s Day.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Seven men and women were arrested Monday after protests shut down I-495, most of whom are from out of state.
Shortly before 10:30 a.m., Maryland State Police responded to the inner loop of I-495 at U.S. Route 29 following a number of calls.
A climate activism group, called Declare Emergency, tweeted that individuals headed to the interstate to stop traffic and call on President Joe Biden to declare an emergency and end fossil fuel extraction on indigenous land.
Protesters were dressed in neon vests, holding signs and blocking the road, according to police. They said that more than 10 pedestrians were sitting in the road and blocking all lanes of traffic, while several were walking around and holding signs.
Troopers and police say they asked protestors “multiple times” to leave, so they could be issued a criminal citation. However, officials said that after several warnings, those who did not comply were arrested without incident. Traffic was diverted in the meantime.
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The seven arrested include:
- Robert Achison, 74, of Vermont
- William Regan, 43, of Oregon
- Nora Swisher, 32, of Maryland
- Mary Osterbrink, 68, of North Carolina
- Andrew Hinz, 61, of Maryland
- Holley White, 58, of New York
- Jason Goward, 38, of Michigan
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Continued…
Approved ~ MJM
