With the White House in the foreground, Greenpeace protesters unfurl a banner atop a crane at the construction site of the former Washington Post office building on January 25, 2017. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)


Update 4:50 p.m. The protesters are coming down, saying they feel they had been able to show their solidarity with other protests.

Original:

Seven Greenpeace protesters have caused a disturbance downtown this morning after scaling a crane at a construction site.

Police blocked off 15th Street between M and K Streets, as well as L Street between 15th and 16th Streets NW. The 1500 block of L Street NW remains closed.

The Metropolitan Police Department released a statement saying “while we respect everyone’s right to protest, today’s actions are extremely dangerous and unlawful. Multiple government resources are being tied up, and unfortunately streets are blocked while first responders try to safely address this matter.”

MPD spokesperson Karima Bilal says that MPD received the call about disorderly conduct at 15th and L Streets NW around 5:59 a.m. Hours later, protesters unfurled a banner that says “Resist” in protest of the new administration.

“The sun has risen this morning on a new America, but it isn’t Donald Trump’s,” said Pearl Robinson, one of the activists who unfurled the banner, said in a statement. “I fear not only the policies of the incoming administration, but also the people emboldened by this election to commit acts of violence and hate. Now is the time to resist.”

The crane is located on the site of the former Washington Post building, which is being demolished and will eventually house Fannie Mae.

The incident is being livestreamed on Greenpeace’s Facebook page and Greenpeace board chairperson Karen Topakian’s Facebook page.

This post has been updated.

Filed Under: construction site, crane, greenpeace, greenpeace usa, protesters,