Protests outside the White House, arrests, and defaced statues highlight growing calls for the Biden administration to stop approving fossil fuel projects.
Indigenous activists in Washington, DC marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a powerful demonstration calling for urgent climate action. Demonstrators protested outside the White House, urging President Biden to halt the approval of fossil fuel projects that disproportionately affect Indigenous communities and their lands. The protests were significant as they were part of the first federally recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the United States.
Tensions rose during the protest, with several activists being arrested as they led climate justice actions. Among the notable moments was the defacing of a statue of President Andrew Jackson, a controversial figure responsible for policies that led to the forced relocation and mistreatment of Native Americans. This symbolic act highlighted the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples and their demands for climate justice.
During the day, Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk nation, spoke about the need for stronger action from the Biden administration on climate change and Indigenous rights. She is co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and a prominent voice in the fight for justice and environmental protection.
In a show of both resilience and pride, US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary, celebrated the day by running in the Boston Marathon, symbolizing the continuation of her ancestral legacy and determination to fight for Indigenous rights and climate action.
