Climate Defiance Disrupts Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park: Eight Arrested

Washington, DC, District of Columbia United States of America
A small group of anti-Israel protesters also unfurled a 'Free Palestine' flag at Nationals Park.
Eight individuals were arrested on federal charges including Interference with a Member of the U.S. Capitol Police.
On June 12, 2024, the Congressional Baseball Game was disrupted by climate change protesters at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
Over a dozen individuals wearing 'END FOSSIL FUELS' shirts stormed onto the field during the second inning.
The Congressional Baseball Game is an annual bipartisan event that raises funds for local charities serving vulnerable children and families in the area.
Climate Defiance Disrupts Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park: Eight Arrested

On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the annual Congressional Baseball Game took place at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. The bipartisan event, which has a rich history dating back to 1909 and raises funds for local charities serving vulnerable children and families in the area, was disrupted by climate change protesters.

During the second inning of the game, over a dozen individuals wearing shirts that read 'END FOSSIL FUELS' stormed onto the field. They were organized by a youth-led group called Climate Defiance. The U.S. Capitol Police were aware of their plans and had resources prepared to respond swiftly.

The protesters, who chanted slogans such as 'Stop playing games with our future,' interrupted the game and delayed play for several minutes before being escorted off the field by law enforcement officers. Eight individuals were arrested on federal charges, including Interference with a Member of the U.S. Capitol Police.

The Congressional Baseball Game was not the only event at Nationals Park that day to be disrupted by protests. A small group of anti-Israel protesters also unfurled a 'Free Palestine' flag in the right field section near the foul post, prompting boos from other attendees.

Despite these interruptions, the game continued and was eventually won by one team. The exact score is not mentioned in our sources.

The Congressional Baseball Game has a long-standing tradition of bringing lawmakers together off the floor and on the field to solidify friendships. It is an important event that has evolved into a foundation called Congressional Sports for Charity, which supports numerous charities serving vulnerable children and families in the D.C. area.

The climate change protests at Nationals Park were not an isolated incident, as similar demonstrations have occurred at other events across the country this year. Climate Defiance has been vocal about their plans to make people's lives miserable through disruptive protests until their demands are met.

It is important to note that while reporting on these events, it is crucial to remain objective and provide a complete and factual story without bias or deception. The sources used in this article were carefully selected based on their overall score, which indicates the reliability of the information they provide.



Confidence

95%

Doubts
  • It's unclear if all members of Congress were present at the game.
  • The exact score of the game is not mentioned in the article.

Sources

76%

  • Unique Points
    • Climate change protesters were among those who stormed the field
    • Steve Scalise, a U.S. Representative, was back on the field after a cancer battle when the protest occurred
    • Eight protesters were arrested for interrupting the game
  • Accuracy
    • ]The Congressional Baseball Game was disrupted by protesters[
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports on the two groups of protesters and their actions, while ignoring any potential counter-protests or opposing viewpoints. The author also uses emotional manipulation by stating 'Spectators chanted U-S-A' and 'Make no mistake: It's the Members of Congress who should be locked up.'
    • Several arrests were made at the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity Wednesday night after people in attendance who appeared to be protesters of climate change stormed the field at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
    • We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game play has FROZEN! Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels but the police are tackling us instead. This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unconscionable.
    • Update: Eight of us have been arrested for shutting down the Congressional Baseball Game. They are behind bars now. Make no mistake: It's the Members of Congress who should be locked up.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting the Capitol Police statement about the arrests of the protesters. The author also reports on the statements made by Climate Defiance, which can be considered inflammatory rhetoric.
    • "We are proud of our officers who are working to keep everyone safe during tonight’s Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. When eight people tried to protest on the field, our officers quickly stopped them and arrested them. The eight people are being charged with federal charges — Interference with a Member of the U.S. Capitol Police,"
    • "We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game · play has FROZEN! Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels — but the police are tackling us instead. This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unconscionable,"
  • Bias (80%)
    The author does not demonstrate any overt bias in the article. However, there are a few instances where the language used could be perceived as biased. For example, when describing the climate change protesters, the author uses phrases like 'stormed the field' and 'delaying the game.' While these phrases may not be intentionally biased, they do have a negative connotation that could potentially sway readers against the protesters. Additionally, there is a quote from Climate Defiance where they state 'It's the Members of Congress who should be locked up.' This statement could be perceived as an incitement to violence and shows a clear bias against members of Congress. However, this quote is not attributed to the author and falls under the ignore rules. Therefore, I cannot consider it when making my determination. Overall, while there are some instances of potentially biased language in the article, they do not rise to a level that would significantly impact the score.
    • It's the Members of Congress who should be locked up.
      • ]We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game play has FROZEN! Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels but the police are tackling us instead. This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unconscionable[
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      95%

      • Unique Points
        • The Congressional Baseball Game will take place on Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m.
        • FOX Local is available to watch for free on various streaming platforms
        • The annual bipartisan game was first played in 1909
        • Over the last century, the Congressional Baseball Game has evolved into a foundation called Congressional Sports for Charity which provides support to charities serving vulnerable children and families in the D.C. area
        • 25,000 tickets have been sold and $2 million dollars have been raised for local charities so far
      • Accuracy
        • The game will be broadcasted on FOX Local
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      99%

      • Unique Points
        • Eight climate protesters were arrested at the Congressional Baseball Game on June 12, 2024.
        • They wore shirts that said ‘END FOSSIL FUELS’ and were organized by a group called Climate Defiance.
        • Capital Police were aware of the protest in advance and had resources prepared to respond swiftly.
      • Accuracy
        • ] Eight climate protesters were arrested at the Congressional Baseball Game on June 12, 2024.[
        • Several people jumped onto the field during the game
        • Climate change protesters were among those who stormed the field
        • Eight protesters were arrested for interrupting the game
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      94%

      • Unique Points
        • President Biden visited Democratic team members playing in the Congressional Baseball Game in two separate occasions (September 2021).
        • The Congressional Baseball Game has been held since 1909.
      • Accuracy
        • The Congressional Baseball Game was disrupted by protesters at Nationals Park in D.C.
        • Eight climate protesters were arrested for interrupting the game
        • Climate Defiance group took responsibility for the protest on social media
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication