Environmental protesters arrested after gluing themselves to tunnels under Capitol
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) on Tuesday arrested environmental protesters who had glued themselves to two doorways connecting the Cannon Building to the U.S. Capitol in an apparent bid to stop members of Congress from an evening vote.
The protesters were with the D.C. chapter of the U.K.-based environmental group “Extinction Rebellion." Eight people were charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, USCP said. Seven also were charged with defacing public property.
In addition, nine were arrested in the Cannon House Office Building and charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, according to USCP. Eight of them also were charged with defacing public property.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“We are superglued to the tunnels under the Capitol because what other choice do we have when our politicians choose money over life?” read an earlier tweet from Extinction Rebellion Washington, D.C.
Environmental protesters superglued themselves together and to two doorways connecting the Cannon building to the U.S. Capitol (Chad Pergram)
Pictures posted on the group’s Twitter page showed the protesters linking hands while wearing yellow hazard signs that read: “Declare climate emergency.”
“Sorry for the inconvenience, but we’re not going back to business as usual until we declare a #ClimateEmergency and get #ClimateJustice for everyone, everywhere,” another post read.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Capitol Police set up another doorway for lawmakers so they could make their way through the Rayburn tunnel for votes despite the demonstrators' chanting, "This entranceway is closed."
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Members of the group did not provide their names to Fox News, nor did they answer what substance they used to glue themselves to the doorjamb.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}USCP directed all personnel to avoid the area as it dealt with the situation.
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The group, known for its audacious publicity stunts, made headlines in April after snarling traffic and public transit in the U.K.’s capital through a series of blockades and demonstrations.
Fox News’ Greg Norman and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.