Protesters detained after entering Biden campaign HQ in Wilmington DE - The News Journal

Protesters detained after entering Biden campaign HQ in Wilmington DE

Climate protesters who entered Biden campaign headquarters led away in handcuffs Monday
Isabel Hughes Esteban Parra

Nearly two-dozen people were led away in handcuffs from President Joe Biden's 2024 campaign headquarters in Wilmington during a Monday morning protest, according to the group organizing the demonstration.

The protest, which brought together about 100 people, was organized by Sunrise Movement, a youth-lead climate-focused group. They demanded an end to the use of fossil fuels and called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, to end what protesters called the "genocide" of Palestinians.

While many participants remained outside the Brandywine Building on N. West Street, several entered. A news release from Sunrise said 20 protesters were detained by police.

They could be seen being taken away in plastic handcuffs by Wilmington officers, who were both inside and outside the building.

"Expect more from us," said Ariela Lara, an organizer who traveled from Bay City, California, to protest.

She said she attended because her community is "enduring severe storms, homes are being flooded (and) power outages are lasting weeks."

"When fires come to California, we're breathing in toxic air," she said. "I'm here because my community is suffering. I'm here because I want a livable future and Biden needs to declare a climate emergency."

The 17-year-old also claimed Biden is funding the killing of Palestinians.

"Instead of taking action on climate, he is spending his time setting bombs in Gaza," Lara said.

According to Sunrise, the protest was organized after months of campaigning. The organization is "targeting both Republicans and Democrats ahead of the 2024 election," the news release said.

Last month, protesters "disrupted dozens of GOP Presidential candidates’ events in Iowa and New Hampshire," according to the release. And in December, the organization delivered a petition to Biden with 48,000 signatures "calling on him to act on Sunrise’s campaign demands."

The group wants the president to "declare a climate emergency and use every tool at his disposal to mobilize the U.S. government to stop the climate crisis," the release said.

Wilmington police have not responded to questions about the protest and what, if any, charges those who were led into a police van face.

By about 11:15 a.m., members of the group said they were taking a short break but planned to be outside all day. Many donned black shirts that read "Declare a climate emergency," while others held bright yellow signs with the same words.

Other signs read "Fund climate change, not genocide."

This is a developing story. Return to delawareonline.com for updates.

Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_ Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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