Videos: Climate Protesters March on White House, Vandalize Andrew Jackson Statue

Protesters have reportedly demanded that President Joe Biden — who touted himself as a future champion of green policies during the election campaign — give up on fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency in the United States.

Dozens of climate protesters have hit the streets in Washington, DC, US media reported on Monday, as Americans are celebrating Columbus Day, or what's becoming more known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

According to pictures shared online, the protesters spray-painted the statue of former US President Andrew Jackson at the White House, and demanded urgent action from Biden regarding climate change.

Jackson statue in front of White House vandalized - protesters chanting “respect us or expect us” pic.twitter.com/ifj1UG6I3w

— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) October 11, 2021

Indigenous people reportedly led the march.

Activists were seen carrying signs that read, “Biden, reject fossil fuel projects”, “Defund Line 3,” and “Protect Native Lands,” insisting they are not ”protesters,” but rather ”protectors.” They were also singing and praying, as seen in the videos below.

Climate protesters are singing and praying outside the White House.

Hundreds are here today to demand Biden stop approving fossil fuel projects and declare a national climate emergency. Cops are starting to show up pic.twitter.com/xRuPDRxiff

— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11) October 11, 2021

One of the climate activists shared with media the rationale behind Monday's protest.

“People are dying right now from the pollutants, the toxins, the climate catastrophes that are happening — and we have to stop the harm,“ Siqiñiq Maupin told Fox News in an email statement. "Biden’s election was riding on climate change; his entire election hinged on turning out people of color and Indigenous people.“

Local law enforcement initially told the crowd they had to disperse or risk being arrested.

At least one participant was eventually detained by Secret Service officers after she threw an unknown object over the White House fence, media reports say.

The Secret Service handcuff an Indigenous women who is on the ground and crying out: “I don’t want to die!”

She’s part of the crowd in front of the White House demanding Biden end fossil fuel projects and declare a national climate emergency pic.twitter.com/Jla4GxVWb4

— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11) October 11, 2021

The protest was apparently organized by The Build Back Fossil Free coalition, which seeks to ensure “Biden becomes the climate president he promised to be“, according to its official website.