Sixteen members of Congress including Democratic Representatives and “squad members” Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were arrested by police in the vicinity of the Supreme Court Tuesday during an abortion protest held in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Representative Alma Adams’ staff confirmed her arrest in a tweet, saying “This is Congresswoman Adams’ staff. She was just arrested protesting for abortion rights and reproductive justice at the Supreme Court. More information as it develops.” Omar’s staff confirmed her arrest to Minnesota CBS affiliate WCCO. Ocasio-Cortez’s office confirmed her arrest shortly after.
Other arrested lawmakers who attended the demonstration include Democratic Representatives Cori Bush, Katherine Clark, Nydia Velazquez, Barbara Lee, Jackie Speier, Sara Jacobs, Rashida Tlaib, Madeleine Dean, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Veronica Escobar, Jan Schakowsky, Carolyn Maloney, and Andy Levin, CNN reported.
U.S. Capitol Police tweeted that they made 34 arrests for “Crowding, Obstructing or Incommoding (DC Code § 22–1307),” and that number included 16 members of Congress, although they did not give any names.
The crowd was allegedly blocking First Street Northeast, which is against the law. Police issues three standard warnings before arresting some of the demonstrators who refused to get out of the street, they clarified. At about 2:00 p.m. EST, Capitol Police updated that the road was open again and the rally was cleared.
Prior to police announcing the arrests, a group of detained protesters were escorted to a roped-off area where they waited to be given further instructions, Douglas Blair of the Daily Signal reported. Ocasio-Cortez and Presley were reportedly taken to the roped-off area by police. Video footage shows Ocasio-Cortez being led away by officers, apparently pretending to be hand-cuffed, then giving a fist salute to onlookers. Omar also seemed to fake being handcuffed, according to video.
Before the protesters were dispersed, Bigg told gathered press that Congress must abolish the filibuster to enshrine sweeping federal abortion rights into law, according to video captured by Blair.