Greens push for clean energy

Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in Washington to urge Congress to reduce greenhouse gases. They’re targeting the government's own coal-burning power plant near Capitol Hill, which they want to see shut down.

The massive rally has been called the Capitol Climate Action March.

The power plant is just the first step in pushing for clean and green energy all across the nation, protesters say.

“If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything. I’m not willing to do that. We’re here to take back out planet. It’s ours, and it’s time to change it,'' said one protester.

Police stood ready as protesters surrounded all entrances to the plant in an attempt to close it down.

”I’m willing to get arrested today. I’m willing to get arrested tomorrow. This is the most important issue we have. We’re organised, and we’re going to shut down this coal plant,'' said another protester.

Even Bobby Kennedy, son of the late Robert Kennedy, came out to spread the message.

“The only way these companies can get away with this is by corrupting the politicians and threatening the agencies that are supposed to protect Americans from pollution. It’s not just destroying our environment, but subverting American democracy and all the things that we value that make us proud to be American,” said Robert Kennedy Jr.

The United States is the largest consumer of energy on the planet, and switching from coal to renewable energy sources would be a huge investment. But some argue that during an economic crisis is not the time to do so.