It’s a start
At least 17 House Democrats were detained Tuesday at an abortion rights rally protesting the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
U.S. Capitol Police said that it started arresting demonstrators after they failed to follow their three warnings to stop blocking a street in Washington, D.C. near the Supreme Court.
The lawmakers are expected to be released and fined.
Protesters sat down on First Street NE outside the Capitol building and blocked the road.
The 17 arrested lawmakers are:
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.),
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.)
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)
Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.)
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.)
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.)
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.)
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)
Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.)
Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.)
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.)
Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas)
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)
I guess the men (except for Andy Levin) were all getting ready for the Congressional Softball Game? Oh well…
“There is no democracy if women do not have control over their own bodies and decisions about their own health, including reproductive care,” said Maloney after being arrested.
“Our country has never really made a big changes, not expanded rights, based on some senators and representatives having a lovely conversation in the Capitol. It happens because of social movements. It happens because people march, people protest, people organize, people get arrested,” said Levin.
Asked if they are planning future actions along these lines, Speier — who led the protest — said, “Stay tuned.”
These are symbolic gestures but Levin is right that change often requires symbolic gestures and civil disobedience. The willingness to peacefully protest and get arrested for doing so can be a powerful signal. Hopefully the next time they do something like this they can persuade more than 17 of their fellow congressional reps to join them.