“What do you want? Climate justice!” led Representative Rashida Tlaib in chants with Climate Defiance activists in front of the White House Thursday afternoon, as smoke from Canadian wildfires misted the air.
“When do we want it? Now!”
The group risked arrest by protesting on the sidewalk where demonstrations aren’t allowed, some even tying their wrists to one another as they sat down.
“Don’t ignore this toxic dust!” chanted the activists. “Biden, you are killing us!”
“Our planet is on fire! Put the fire out!” they yelled, ultimately concluding without arrests after the police waited the rally out.
Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson spoke out with Climate Defiance activists in front of the White House ahead of the direct action.
Pearson called out the “Military industrial congressional complex, one of the greatest institutions of environmental and climate harm in the country.”
“We have a right to breathe clean air, y’all!” said Rashida Tlaib.
Canadian Wildfire Smoke fills the air on June 8 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Canadian Wildfire Smoke fills the air on June 8 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Canadian Wildfire Smoke fills the air on June 8 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Canadian Wildfire Smoke fills the air on June 8 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Tennessee State Rep Justin Pearson participates as climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Tennessee State Rep Justin Pearson participates as climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib participates as climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib participates as climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Tennessee State Rep Justin Pearson participates as climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib participates as climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib participates as climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Climate activists rally in front of the White House to demand the cancellation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on June 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Ford Fischer is an independent news videographer, editor, filmmaker, and the editor-in-chief of News2Share. His work has been included in four Emmy-winning films. He co-founded and designed News2share.com as an engine for independent videographers and citizen journalists to contribute to the evolving news cycle. He is available for hire as a freelance videographer/journalist. Reach him at fordfischervideo@gmail.com