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About 20 people blocked all lanes and two shoulders in the inner loop of Interstate 495 at the exit of US 29 / Colesville Road on Monday afternoon.
Declare Emergency, a group seeking government action on climate change, was recognized for the disruption. On its website, the group has demanded that President Biden declare a state of national emergency.
“It was a collaborative effort that included a young woman who is eight months pregnant and worried about the world where her baby would be born,” Declare Emergency member Paul Severance said in a telephone interview.
Severance said police made several arrests and witnessed people who had moved from the cars in front of him, lame, while police were taking them away. He assumed some would be charged with resisting arrest. Maryland State Police noted on Twitter that the road reopened in the mid-afternoon, but did not provide further information.
Severance noted that his small group, mostly in Montgomery County, was part of larger actions on climate issues.
“We have mobilized all over the country. We have had calls with Noam Chomsky and [comedian-activist] Adam McKay, and we’ve also gone door to door, “he said.” We’re doing our best to get more people involved. “
He added: “We are resistant nonviolent civilians. We respect everyone: the drivers we block, the police, everyone.”
The protest was not related to a convoy of truckers that was causing traffic delays on Interstate 95, police said.
On July 4, climate change protesters closed the Beltway with major backups at the Colesville Road exit. (Video: Luz Lazo)
The photos showed several protesters sitting on the other side of the Beltway, blocking traffic.
State police reopened the Beltway shortly before 2 p.m., according to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
UPDATE: All travel lanes have been reopened on Inner Loop I-495 near Exit 30 of Colesville Rd (US-29). Expect residual delays. #MdTraffic
– Montgomery Co. OEMHS (@ReadyMontgomery) July 4, 2022
Beltway climate change protesters were one of many groups that exercised their right to gather across the region on Independence Day.
A convoy of truckers, the 1776 Restoration Movement formerly known as the “People’s Convoy,” blocked traffic on I-95 to denounce vaccine warrants. And the abortion rights groups gathered in front of the Supreme Court building all day in objection to the revocation of the court. Roe against Wade. Another group planned a march to the National Mall Monday night.
Chantelle Piper, 32, traveled from New York three weeks ago to help organize Rise Up 4 abortion rights rallies in DC
She said she wanted more people to protest in the streets with them, but she was happy with the turnout on Monday.
“People answered the call,” he said. “People who have never spoken out before, people who really felt angry for not wanting to celebrate on July 4, not when that right has been withdrawn.”
Teo Armus contributed to this report.