In a dramatic protest against the use of fossil fuels, climate justice group Extinction Rebellion staged disruptions during the Broadway play "An Enemy of the People" on Thursday. The incident took place during a town hall scene featuring actor Jeremy Strong's character, as captured in a video posted by the group on social media platform X.

The first activist can be heard in the video saying, "There is no Broadway on a dead planet." Subsequently, the individual was escorted out of the theater by cast members, including Michael Imperioli. Two more protesters later joined in, causing further interruptions during the play's preview run at the Circle in the Square Theatre, in New York.

Extinction Rebellion, known for their nonviolent civil disobedience tactics to raise awareness about climate change, explained in a news release that the protesters were "warning there is 'no theater on a dead planet,' and demanding the right to peacefully protest against the use of fossil fuels." The group's spokesperson, Laura Robinson, emphasized in the release that climate activists should not be perceived as the enemy and questioned the harsh treatment they sometimes face.

The three activists involved in the disruption were identified as Lydia Woolley, Nate Smith, and Kyle Butler. They echoed Robinson's sentiments in the group's statement, emphasizing that their goal was to draw public attention to the urgent climate emergency facing the world today.

Several theatergoers, including journalist Moises Mendez II, took to social media to share their experiences of the disruption. Mendez noted that initially some audience members thought it was part of the show, but the subsequent disruptions created an "uneasy tension" in the room.

While the interruptions may have shocked some, Strong and Imperioli appeared to stay in character throughout the protest. Imperioli even posted an Instagram message after the incident expressing support for the Extinction Rebellion activists.

Representatives for both actors did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and neither did representatives for "An Enemy of the People." Furthermore, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion was unavailable for immediate comment.

This bold demonstration by Extinction Rebellion serves as a reminder of the growing urgency to address climate change and transition to cleaner energy sources. As climate activists continue to push for meaningful action, their disruptive demonstrations aim to grab the attention of the public and decision-makers alike.