Protesters Lift 'RESIST' Banner From Crane Near White House

The morning after President Trump issued orders to delay environmental rules and restart pipeline projects, seven Greenpeace protesters climbed a 270-foot tall construction crane blocks from the White House and unfurled a massive orange and yellow banner with the word, "RESIST." The banner encouraging opposition to Trump's agenda was clearly visible from the grounds of the White House for several hours on Wednesday, and from some angles it appeared to hover over the building. Protesters hoped it would get under his skin, the AP reports. "There's nothing that irritates him more than to know he's not popular and we don't like him," one of the protesters said.

District of Columbia police took a hands-off approach while the protesters suspended themselves from harnesses and ropes below the crane's huge arm. Police closed three city blocks to traffic and appeared content to wait until they climbed down to be arrested. John Evans, 46, a carpenter who works on the site, said the protesters were clearly experienced climbers, noting that they were moving their legs and shifting positions to maintain their blood circulation. "Look how organized they are. They have the same equipment that I use every day," he said. "They're professionals. Amateurs couldn't stay up there that long." (More Greenpeace stories.)