The annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity, held at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, was disrupted by climate change protesters on Wednesday, leading to multiple arrests.
The game, a tradition since 1909, features members of Congress playing baseball to raise money for charity, with representatives and senators from both major political parties participating.
During the game, protesters stormed the field to protest climate change. Prior to going on the field, the protesters were seen holding signs that read “Stop playing games with our future” and wearing T-shirts that read “End Fossil Fuels.”
The climate activist group Climate Defiance claimed responsibility for the protest in a social media post.
“Update: Eight of us have been arrested for shutting down the Congressional Baseball Game. They are behind bars now. Make no mistake: It’s the Members of Congress who should be locked up,” the group posted on X.
“We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game + play has FROZEN! Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels — but the police are tackling us instead. This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unconscionable,” the group wrote.
The U.S. Capitol Police responded swiftly, arresting and escorting the demonstrators off the field to allow the game to resume. A statement from the USCP, confirmed that eight individuals were arrested.
“We are proud of our officers who are working to keep everyone safe during tonight’s Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. When eight people tried to protest on the field, our officers quickly stopped them and arrested them. The eight people are being charged with federal charges — Interference with a Member of the US Capitol Police,” the statement read.
In addition to the climate protesters, there were also anti-Israel demonstrators present, with several people in the crowd holding a large “Free Palestine” flag.
