On Wednesday, as Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered a keynote address on education policy at a conference in Washington, D.C., his speech was rocked by the disruptive chants of protesters from the liberal-backed activist group Climate Defiance.
As Youngkin spoke about his morning visit to Arlington National Cemetery and the importance of honoring the heroes and victims of 9/11, the group surged towards the stage, brandishing signs and shouting their slogan, “No more gas, no more oil, keep the carbon in the soil.”
The crowd, largely made up of members from the Federalist Society and the Defense of Freedom Institute, responded with boos and disapproval as security escorted the group out. Youngkin, however, remained undeterred and continued with his speech, reminding the audience of the significance of 9/11 and the bravery of those who stand between evil and peace.
“Today is a day to think about America,” Youngkin declared. “Today is a day to remind ourselves that there were 3,000 men and women who lost their lives on 9/11. Today is a day to remind ourselves there’s evil in the world. And today is finally a day to remember that there are incredibly brave men and women who put their hand up and say, ‘Send me’ that stand between evil and peace.”
The group responsible for the disruption, Climate Defiance, is a climate activist group founded in 2023 and has received funding from the Climate Emergency Fund (CEF), a Los Angeles-based organization. In a Politico interview, CEF’s executive director confirmed that the group receives millions in funding from wealthy elites.
This is not the first time Climate Defiance has caused disruptions. The group was also involved in obstructing entry to the New York Federal Reserve building back in 2023, causing chaos ahead of a UN General Assembly meeting on climate policy. They have also publically endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and urged her to incorporate climate policies into her campaign strategy for the upcoming election.
Neither Youngkin, the Federalist Society, nor Climate Defiance immediately responded to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
In a time where political polarization is at an all-time high, it is more important than ever to respect the platform of others and engage in civil discourse. While protests and demonstrations can be effective forms of activism, it is crucial to consider the audience and context in which they occur.
A group of climate change disrupters just interrupted @GlennYoungkin while he was speaking at the Federalist Society and @DFIPolicy conference on education policy. They interrupted him as he was recalling 9/11 and his visit to the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery this morning. pic.twitter.com/kWR7hnXA69
— Jeremiah Poff (@JJ_Poff) September 11, 2024
Interrupting a speech about honoring the victims of 9/11 and the importance of remembering the sacrifices of our military heroes does a disservice to the cause and alienates potential allies.
We must strive to find common ground and approach discussions with respect and open-mindedness, even if our beliefs differ. Disrupting events and silencing opposing viewpoints only widens the divide and prevents progress.