Over 2500 people and “hundreds” of police gathered at the Capitol Power Plant in Washington DC to protest the Canadian and American governments' lack of action on the climate crisis, local activist Tzeporah Berman said.

Berman was among the thousands who came together this afternoon to send a message to political leaders that green initiatives need to start now.

“We are calling on both the U.S. and Canadian governments to act quickly to address global warming,” she said.

Berman continued, “We are calling for the phase-out of coal in both countries, we’re calling for the Canadian government to address the tar sands and were working together in both countries to make more green jobs and a greener economy.”

Protesters blocked all gates and entrances to the plant and caused it to shut down, Berman said.

While being interviewed, the activist said police started to make their way into the crowd to break up the protest, but no arrests were made.

The protest, which took the form of a march, began at Spirit of Justice Park and continued onto the Capitol Power Plant where protesters gathered peacefully.

It was organized by Capitolclimateaction.com and involved environmental groups from across the continent. North American Space Agency chief climate scientist James Hansen was also in attendance.

According to a press release from international activist group Forest Ethics, the event was slated to be, “the biggest civil disobedience on climate issues in North America.”

The release also stated that over 90 advocacy groups planned to attend the march/protest and that, “participants are willing to risk arrest to demand bold and far-reaching action on the climate and energy crisis in 2009.”

Berman stated that she has never seen a stronger police presence at one place in her life.

Capitolclimateaction.com reported on their website that protestors should bring $50-100 US to bail out protestors who are detained.

Morgan J. Modjeski is a reporter for The Hook.