8 climate protesters arrested after running onto field during Congressional Baseball Game

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Eight people were taken into custody after running onto the field at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday as lawmakers participated in the annual Congressional Baseball Game.

Video footage posted on social media from the ant-fossil fuel activist group Climate Defiance shows protesters jumping onto left field from the stands as Capitol Police and at least one stadium employee quickly move to tackle the demonstrators. Fans can be heard booing in the background.

"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," Climate Defiance said on X.

"We are not here to watch Congress play games while the planet burns to ash and subsidies add fuel to the fire. We are here to disrupt and shut down fossil-fueled business as usual," it added.

Capitol Police said the eight people who were arrested during the protest are being charged with interference with a member of the U.S. Capitol Police, a federal offense.