More arrests at US Capitol as Democracy Spring meets Black Lives Matter (VIDEO)
Dozens of protesters have been arrested at the US Capitol during the third day of 'Democracy Spring' demonstrations. In addition to demanding an end to corporate money in politics, today's sit-in is about racial justice.
US Capitol Police separated those who staged a sit-in at the steps of the building from the main body of the protesters, and proceeded to detain them.
In addition to the overall demands to remove corporate money from politics and ensure fair elections, on Wednesday 'Democracy Spring' focused specifically on "racial justice" for the African-American community, calling for “intentional investment” there.
One arrestee at #DemocracySpring is uncooperative. 7 officers take him away. pic.twitter.com/71yzoXquee
— Caleb T. Maupin (@calebmaupin) April 13, 2016
One of the protesters refused to go along, and was subdued by multiple officers. Most of the arrests were peaceful, however.
#DemocracySpring protesters being arrested and taken away. Singing "This Land is Your Land" pic.twitter.com/wg59b2GxPE
— Caleb T. Maupin (@calebmaupin) April 13, 2016
#DemocracySpringpic.twitter.com/rVqiDs4V26
— Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) April 13, 2016
One difference between today's protest and the preceding marches on Monday and Tuesday is that the tourist area of the US Capitol was cordoned off from protesters by police tape, RT's Caleb Maupin noted.
LIVE on #Periscope: #DemocracySpring#BlackLivesMatter getting arrested on #CapitolHillhttps://t.co/VdDlWB1Ity
— Caleb T. Maupin (@calebmaupin) April 13, 2016
“Rich people are the source of poverty and oppression… of black people” in the US, one protester told RT, adding that democracy was the key to dismantling white supremacy in the American South.
#DemocracySpring#BlackLivesMatter Chants of "Money out of Politics! Racial Justice Now!" pic.twitter.com/ZDiuuuO1zW
— Caleb T. Maupin (@calebmaupin) April 13, 2016
"We need a democracy in which Black Lives Matter," Democracy Spring organizer Kai Newkirk said on Twitter.
I just realized @kai_newkirk is on the stairs to be arrested again. #DemocracySpring
— Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) April 13, 2016
.@kai_newkirk has been released after his second sit-in arrest. #DemocracySpringpic.twitter.com/QY5aiKBtDb
— Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) April 13, 2016
While the arrests were going on, US Secretary of State John Kerry presented the annual 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' at the State Department.
#DemocracySpring en route to Capitol building #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/IoTrsNeExR
— Caleb T. Maupin (@calebmaupin) April 13, 2016
The week-long protest campaign began Monday, when over 400 activists occupied the steps on the east side of the Capitol building in order to bring attention to the problem of corporate funding for US politicians. Monday set the record for the largest number of arrests in a civil disobedience protest at the Capitol, according to the organizers.
READ MORE: 400+ arrested as Democracy Spring calls for fairer elections, no more money in politics
Scores of elderly protesters were detained on Tuesday. As they were being released, the main body of the activists proceeded to picket the Congressional Republican headquarters.