300 arrested at Democracy Awakens protest against money in politics
About 300 arrests were made at the Democracy Awakens protest at the US Capitol, police confirmed. Officers made at least three warnings before detaining people, who are calling on Congress to get money out of politics and restore the Voting Rights Act.
The latest protest comes after a week of Democracy Spring demonstrations on the Capitol steps. The demands of the two sets of rallies are very similar.
Those who have been detained chose to be arrested. Capitol police issued three warnings before beginning to round people up.
First arrests are being held, @AnnieMLeonard@CornellWBrooks and others #DemocracyAwakenspic.twitter.com/l44URmIQ2H
— Thomas Meyer (@ThomasMeyer24) April 18, 2016
DCPD just arrested 1st group of activists. Money out. Voters in! We believe that love will win. #DemocracyAwakenspic.twitter.com/10nMfyYiLj
— Democracy Awakening (@DemAwakening) April 18, 2016
Corporate pigs: we see you. #DemocracyAwakenspic.twitter.com/hzQGoU1g1o
— Democracy Awakening (@DemAwakening) April 18, 2016
The day began with a march from nearby Columbus Circle, in front of Union Station, to Capitol Hill. It is supported by unions, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, environmental groups and everyday Americans.
#DemocracyAwakens
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 18, 2016
This is what democracy looks like pic.twitter.com/JP3zMGSTnV
This is what democracy looks like! #DemocracyAwakenspic.twitter.com/MdfFwkifJQ
— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) April 18, 2016
Approximately 300 people were arrested, including NAACP President Cornell Brooks and Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen.
BREAKING: NAACP Pres. @CornellWBrooks arrested at #DemocracyAwakens to honor his grandfather James Edward Prioleau. pic.twitter.com/zIbVxbv0DA
— NAACP (@NAACP) April 18, 2016
My celebrity pen mate. Ben of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. #DemocracyAwakens@ProjectVotepic.twitter.com/xyAmXN5XTI
— Michael Slater (@mkslater) April 18, 2016
The last of the protesters has been released from the pens set up by the Capitol police.
BREAKING: Last of #DemocracyAwakens arrestees off steps. Approx 300 arrested. pic.twitter.com/OtQ7Ygtm6v
— Colleen Boland (@ColleenBoland) April 18, 2016
Watching the scores of arrestees be processed. The police were kind. The system here worked. #DemocracyAwakenspic.twitter.com/f2eDdZkEqE
— Rodney Sadler (@rodney_sadler) April 18, 2016
