Protestors rally outside the Capitol Power Plant

On Monday, an estimated 2,500 activists rallied outside the Capitol Power Plant in Washington DC, to protest the continued use of coal, at the 99 year old facility. Organizers called the event ‘the largest mass civil disobedience for climate in U.S. history’, as the protestors blocked all entrances to the power plant.

At the event, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and DC Council member Tommy Wells, addressed the crowd. Wells explained to the crowd that the power plant is the reason that DC has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the country.

Participants from all over the country came to the protest in order to urge Congress, who oversees the power plant, to move to cleaner fuels. Many of the participants came from parts of Appalachia where they have witnessed their mountains and environment destroyed.

Congress has been trying to change from coal to cleaner energy at the Capitol Power Plant, as part of the “Green the Capitol” initiative headed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Efforts so far have been blocked by powerful congressmen from coal producing states.

Councilmember Tommy Wells Addresses the Crowd