Photos: Shutdown DC protests disrupt Monday morning commute

Climate awareness protests interrupted traffic in D.C. during Monday morning’s rush hour commute. See photos from the protests.

Protesters with Extinction Rebellion stage a sit-in beneath their sailboat blockade at the intersection of K and 16th streets in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A protester with Extinction Rebellion wears a snorkel near a sailboat blocking the intersection of K and 16th streets in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Protesters with Extinction Rebellion use a sailboat to block the intersection of K and 16th streets in downtown Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Environmental activists pressure lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital on Sept. 23, 2019. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A member of Extinction rebellion hoists the group's hourglass emblem on a sailboat blocking the intersection of K and 16th streets in downtown D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A protester explains justifies her blocking of traffic to commuters impacted by an Extinction Rebellion action in downtown D.C. on Sept. 23, 2019. Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Environmental activists pressured lawmakers to declare a climate change emergency by paralyzing morning traffic in the nation's capital. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Using metal chain links and tubes, Extinction Rebellion protesters bound themselves to their sailboat to prolong their occupation of a K Street intersection. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
While D.C. police pushed onlookers back from the sailboat as they worked to extract bound protesters, about 100 people remained to cheer on their colleagues as police wheeled in a generator and electric saw. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
In order to protect Extinction Rebellion protesters from sparks during their removal, D.C. police provided them with flame-resistant blankets and ear protection. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
For the better part of an hour, sparks flew on K Street as D.C. police used a buzzsaw to extract protesters from the hull of the sailboat they'd attached themselves to. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A group of Extinction Rebellion protesters hold the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 18th streets near Dupont Circle, chaining themselves to ladders. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A group of Extinction Rebellion protesters hold the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 18th streets near Dupont Circle, chaining themselves to ladders. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Climate activists participate in a 'Shut Down DC' protest to urge action on the climate crisis, on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Climate activists participate in a 'Shut Down DC' protest to urge action on the climate crisis, on Independence Avenue near Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: A climate change protester blocks traffic during a protest to shut down D.C. on September 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. The protesters are urging climate action and want the reallocation of the budget away from the military to fund a Green New Deal. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: Climate change protesters block traffic during a protest to shut down D.C. on September 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. The protesters are for urging climate action and want the reallocation of the budget away from the military to fund a Green New Deal. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Protesters block traffic near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. A broad coalition of climate and social justice organizations are disrupting the morning rush hour commute. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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