USA
Activist interrupts Biden speech and calls for climate emergency
US President Joe Biden gives a speech about democracy. photo
© Evan Vucci/AP/dpa
It is rare for US President Biden to be disturbed by activists during public appearances. Now a climate activist joined the audience at a speech in the US state of Arizona.
Climate emergency has been an issue in the USA for a long time
Biden has not yet declared a climate emergency for the USA. The White House had considered such a step last year when the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which also contains extensive measures for climate protection, was temporarily stuck in the US Congress. Climate activists also argue that an emergency regulation could serve as a legal basis to block oil and gas drilling, for example. Biden recently claimed that he had declared a climate emergency “in practical terms” and referred to his administration’s climate protection measures. Most recently, Biden stopped oil drilling projects in northern Alaska.
Protester publishes video of action
The activist published a video of the disruptive action on the X platform. “My conscience forced me to interrupt his speech today to ask why he has not yet declared a climate emergency. Why he has broken his promise of no new drilling on federal lands,” he wrote. Non-violent protest is part of democracy. The man continued that he would have liked to have met with Biden. But the Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the president, and the police escorted him from the compound.
Biden talks about fragile democracy
Biden warned in his speech in Tempe that democracy was in danger. Democracies could “die” if people remained silent. He repeatedly referred to former President Donald Trump and extreme Republicans. “There is an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs of our democracy. The MAGA movement,” said the 80-year-old. Maga stands for Trump’s campaign motto: “Make America Great Again”.
Video of the disruption