Environmental protesters closed 23rd Street NW between C Street and Constitution Avenue Monday morning as they hung a large banner from a construction crane -- and hung from it, as well.
Greenpeace USA said it is demonstrating to get the attention of those attending the World Environmentalist Meeting on Climate Change at the State Department. The banner reads "Too Big To Fail: Stop Global Warming, Rescue The Planet."
Two protesters actually hung from the banner in mid-air while others remained on the crane above.
The crane is being used to construct a new building that will house the headquarters for the United States Institute of Peace, as well as a museum, public education center and a monument to peace. And the building is expected to be green. It should receive its LEED certification by utilizing designs that protect and conserve water, reduce waste, and by converting a parking lot into a productive building enhanced by green landscaping and shade trees.
D.C. police arrested seven activists unfurling the 600-square-foot banner at the construction site near the State Department.
Morning rush-hour traffic was tied up in the area.
Capt. Jeffrey Herold said the sign was taken down after a few hours and that the activists were were arrested for unlawful entry.
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Greenpeace representative Carroll Muffett said activists hung the banner near the State Department because world leaders are meeting there. Muffett said that if governments can bail out big banks, they can also find the resources to bail out the Earth.
