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Horns blared as activists from the organization Declare Emergency sat on the inner loop holding banners and dancing to the beat of a drum around 10:30 a.m. in Montgomery County.
A similar incident happened over the summer, leading to the arrests of 14 people. Activists argued that the protest actually caused even more pollution.
More than 10 pedestrians were sitting in the road during the protest, blocking all lanes of traffic and forcing state police intervention, preliminary investigations found.
Troopers from the Rockville and College Park barracks, with an assist from Montgomery County Police, asked the protestors multiple times to leave so they could be issued a criminal citation, according to investigators.
After several warnings, those who did not comply were arrested without incident.
Those apprehended:
- Nora Swisher, 32, of Maryland;
- Jason Goward, 38, of Michigan;
- William Regan, 43, of Oregon;
- Holley White, 58, of New York;
- Andrew Hinz, 61, of Maryland;
- Mary Osterbrink, 68, of North Carolina;
- Robert Achison, 74, of Vermont.
During the protest, traffic was diverted off the beltway until the road could be cleared, though it was backed up for miles during the incident. The interstate was reopened by 11:15 a.m.
All seven people arrested were charged with obstructing or hindering the free passage of another in a public place or on a public conveyance and failing to obey law enforcement officer who attempts to prevent a disturbance to the public peace.
They were arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Detention Center for processing.
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