Climate protesters from the far-left organization, Climate Defiance, interrupted an event attended by Senator Joe Manchin in Ames, Iowa, causing multiple disruptions. The group, known for its high-profile and disruptive protests targeting politicians, recently granted a private meeting at the White House, revealed that they had surrounded Senator Manchin in New Hampshire to confront him over his stance on energy and climate policy.
According to Climate Defiance, they cornered Senator Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, and forced him to seek refuge in an old building in Goffstown, New Hampshire. The incident occurred after Senator Manchin addressed the New Hampshire Institute of Politics’ “Politics & Eggs” forum, which is often attended by presidential candidates.
In a post on social media, Climate Defiance stated, “We are *swarming* Joe Manchin’s presidential forum in New Hampshire. This man is a murderer. The blood of thousands is encrusted on his hands. As we write, he cowers behind lines of armed cops, afraid and humiliated.” The group later added, “As we write, Joe Manchin is hiding from us in an old, red brick building in Goffstown, New Hampshire. We have surrounded the premises. We have staked out all the exits. We will hold this man to account. He cannot hide from us forever.”
It remains unclear whether Senator Manchin is still surrounded by the activists, as his spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Climate Defiance had previously called for volunteers to join their protest in New Hampshire, aiming to disrupt Senator Manchin’s event due to his support for fossil fuels. They highlighted his involvement in the Mountain Valley Pipeline natural gas project and his ownership of a coal company as reasons for their protest.
In a previous statement, Climate Defiance accused Senator Manchin of destroying communities and condemning people to death in order to benefit his fossil fuel cronies. The group vowed to resist him and invited others to join their protest in New Hampshire.
Interestingly, the announcement of Climate Defiance’s intention to protest Senator Manchin’s event in New Hampshire coincided with their meeting at the White House. The group had a private meeting with senior White House adviser John Podesta on December 15, during which they handed him a letter expressing their concerns about the urgent need to end federal support for new fossil fuel infrastructure.
Climate Defiance has a history of disrupting events attended by prominent figures such as John Podesta, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The organization is committed to raising awareness about climate action and pushing for immediate solutions to combat the threats posed by continued fossil fuel consumption.
As the climate crisis intensifies, protests and activism play a crucial role in holding politicians accountable and demanding meaningful action. The confrontation between Climate Defiance and Senator Manchin underscores the growing divide between those advocating for aggressive climate policies and those who prioritize the interests of the fossil fuel industry. The outcome of this clash could have significant implications for future energy and climate policy decisions in the United States.
