8 Climate Protesters Detained at Congressional Baseball Game

Eight climate protesters were detained on Wednesday night for rushing onto the field during the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

While the game was in its second inning, the protesters climbed over the fence onto the field wearing shirts that read “END FOSSIL FUELS.”

Security officers and U.S. Capitol Police quickly apprehended the protesters, allowing the game to resume, as reported by the Washington Examiner.

The crowd drowned out the protesters with chants of “USA!”

The game continued with authorities stationed around the field perimeter to ensure player safety.

According to a post on X by Capitol Police, the eight protesters were charged with federal offenses related to obstructing a member of the Capitol Police.

Before the national anthem, a separate demonstration unfolded in the stands. Around a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters, some wearing keffiyehs, began waving Palestinian flags, as reported by ABC News.

The protesters were escorted out by Capitol Police while fans protested by booing and chanting “USA!” and reportedly “F-Hamas,” according to the Examiner.

Chants of “USA” started in the Republican section and spread throughout the stadium, ABC News noted.

“We’re here to shame Congress for participating and sponsoring and funding a genocide,” one protester communicated through a stadium fence to the outlet.

It was reported earlier in the week that climate protesters planned to obstruct and shut down the annual game.

Evan Drukker-Schardl, an organizer for Climate Defiance, shared with Roll Call: “The Congressional Baseball Game is a useful symbolic target. Congress is literally playing games while subsidizing the fossil fuel engine industry.”

Climate Defiance is led by youth activists.

“BREAKING: 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 announced on X at 8:14 p.m. ET.

The Congressional Baseball Game is a long-standing bipartisan tradition dating back to 1909, with proceeds supporting charities in the D.C. area.