At least 19 climate activists were arrested at the New York state Capitol during protests demanding that Gov. Kathy Hochul sign a key piece of climate legislation into law.

The legislation, called the Climate Change Superfund Act, would require large oil and gas companies to pay for part of the harm caused by climate change. It would raise $3 billion annually to fund projects that would help the state better withstand the effects of extreme weather and floods, which are becoming more common as the world warms.

Hundreds of activists, including many youth, rallied at the Capitol for three days. Several staged a sit-in, refusing to leave the Capitol building after it had closed to the public.