Image courtesy of Denver7

Monday morning was just the start of a week-long climate change protest that is being led by Extinction Rebellion Denver. 5 people were arrested in Monday’s protest, which saw activists blocking the intersection at Broadway and 9th.

Extinction Rebellion Denver aims to bring awareness to climate change through non-violent civil disobedience.

Protesters began their peaceful march at Speer Boulevard and Bannock, where they stayed for at least one light cycle. Arrests occurred once the protestors had reached Broadway and 9th.

“We’re raising awareness to people and to the government about where we’re at in our climate emergency and ecological crisis,” said Extinction Rebellion organizer Dave Robinson. “We can’t continue with business as usual, we’re headed to our own extinction.”

Organizers said the police’s reaction went too far, as the protestor’s made it clear that they only intended to interrupt a single light cycle.

One activist, said, “Even the people who are arresting us should know that we’re doing this for them too. We believe that the planet is going to be uninhabitable by 2050 and I think that if people are aware of that fact they’ll come out.”

The group intends on having further disruptive protests throughout the week, which the police will monitor.