In photos: On Earth Day, DC climate activists make urgent plea for action

Climate activists gathered in downtown Washington on Earth Day, or Friday, April 22, for a series of events taking their push for immediate action to local and federal officials. In an election year, protesters — many of them, public school students — pleaded with officials to curb fossil fuel investment and reign in greenhouse gas emissions, warning of dire consequences for local communities if no action is taken.

See photos from across the day below.

1/10

Earth Day begins as an activist with Extinction Rebellion scales the John A. Wilson Building, which houses D.C. government offices, to drop a banner demanding city officials transition away from fossil fuels. Extinction Rebellion D.C. — the local branch of an international movement using disruptive tactics to seek an end to the climate crisis — debuted a new campaign aiming to stop Washington Gas from investing billions in methane gas infrastructure, which the group says poses a health and safety risk to residents. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

2/10

One woman, outfitted in climbing gear, was lifted down from the Wilson building by fire ladder after hanging a large banner from a ledge above the main doors. D.C. Fire and EMS crews, along with D.C. police, were already staged for what the fire department referred to as a “tactical rescue” when about 50 protesters marched in from Franklin Park. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

3/10

An Extinction Rebellion protester dons a gas mask outside the Wilson building, as fire crews work to bring down an activist from a ledge. Through its new campaign launched on Earth Day 2022, the group sought to localize the global movement’s push to end fossil fuel use by targeting Washington Gas and its planned investment in methane. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

4/10

D.C. police officers overlook a demonstrator wearing a mock gas mask outside the Wilson building. “If Washington Gas gets its way, then D.C. will lock in planet-heating fossil fuel pollution for decades to come,” Extinction Rebellion D.C. said. “The company is destroying our health and our children’s future — and the D.C. government is letting them get away with it.” (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

5/10

A group of theater students from Maryland’s Towson University staged a climate-themed performance as fire crews removed an activist from a ledge on the building beside them. Many wore antlers, signifying wildlife under threat in a changing environment. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

6/10

A D.C. police officer stands watch at the foot of the Wilson building as fire crews remove an anti-fossil fuels banner, moments after the activist who had climbed the building to hang it was arrested. Many protesters who had joined Extinction Rebellion’s morning action would merge with other Earth Day protests in downtown Washington later that day. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

7/10

Fridays for Future D.C. — the local chapter of a student-led climate movement founded by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg — marches from Lafayette Square to Foggy Bottom on Earth Day. The group included public school students from D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland, staging their second strike this season pressuring President Biden to fulfill campaign promises on climate change. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

8/10

D.C. region students hold a “die-in” protest on Earth Day along a sidewalk on H Street, north of the White House, for 1 1/2 minutes — marking the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold set in the 2015 Paris Agreement, above which drastic consequences from a warming climate become more likely. Students had planned a rally within Lafayette Square, but Secret Service officers closed the area due to a mass shooting in the District’s Van Ness neighborhood. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

9/10

Student activists march through downtown D.C. on Earth Day. About 100 demonstrators joined with 350.org’s Montgomery County chapter at the Federal Reserve building. Climate activists have long sought a divestment from oil drilling and fossil fuel pipeline projects, and are upping their pressure on Democratic Party leaders ahead of the midterm elections. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

10/10

Two marchers with 350 Montgomery County pull a mock-up of a classic British telephone booth through the streets of Foggy Bottom. While the booth itself lacked a phone, being made of tape and cardboard, its users could step in and find a list of numbers for Maryland and Virginia congressional representatives, as well as the Federal Reserve, and call with their cellphone to voice climate-related concerns. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Alejandro Alvarez

Alejandro Alvarez joined WTOP as a digital journalist and editor in June 2018. He is a reporter and photographer focusing on politics, political activism and international affairs.