Police arrest FOUR HUNDRED at U.S. Capitol in protest of money in politics

[Lodestar]

Source: Reuters

Police arrested more than 400 protesters outside the U.S. Capitol on Monday from Democracy Spring, an organization seeking to remove big money from politics and combat restrictive voter identification laws.

The mostly calm and orderly demonstration resulted in arrests for what the U.S. Capitol Police called "unlawful demonstration activity" such as crowding and obstruction.

Organizers vowed to repeat the demonstration every day for a week.

The protest was held "to demand Congress take immediate action to end the corruption of big money in our politics and ensure free and fair elections," Democracy Spring said on its website.

The group lists actor Mark Ruffalo and academic Noam Chomsky and dozens of well-known activist groups among its supporters.

"We believe this is the people's house, and Congress should be responsive to the people. We need to protect voting rights," said Peter Callahan, the group's communications coordinator.

Protesters hoisted a scarecrow-like effigy of a corporate lobbyist holding money bags and a sign reading, "Warning: Massive civil disobedience is next."


http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-capitol-demonstration-idUSKCN0X82M1

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-capitol-demonstration-idUSKCN0X82M1

[bjo59]

1. Thanks for the links!

[Half-Century Man]

2. 400 on the first day.

Sounds promising.

[yuiyoshida]

3. saw that cenk uygur was there

I wonder if he got busted?

[Enthusiast]

4. Cenk was arrested.

[Lodestar]

5. tweeted about four hours ago

I'm out of "jail." Great day full of memorable moments. Will tell you guys all about it tomorrow at
https://www.facebook.com/TheYoungTurks/

[captainarizona]

6. the largest protest I was in in march 2006

We had a 100,000 in washington 500,000 in new york, chicago and dallas with 1,000,000 in los angeles plus many more thousands in other cities atlanta phoenix san francisco san diego and many more cities and all on the same day! The police didn't dare arrest them as they out numbered the police a thousand to one. They were immigrant rights demonstrations not dark money which I guess not as many people care about.

[peacebird]

7. I was in those marches that spring, went to DC and to NY. No coverage in media

Or if they were mentioned the media pointed out that protesters for and against came put. As if both had equal numbers when antiwar had tens of thousands and pro war had tens....

[Augiedog]

8. Gotta arrest those darn fools who think that government belongs to them and not the oligarchs .

Of course those sovereign citizens are the real Americans to whom the government is just a minor impediment and only get arrested after months of begging to behave by the very same government they say is illegitimate.

[Nitram]

9. It is not only about money in policics.

Voter suppression and gerrymandering are equally egregious.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

10. Wait a sec. What does our constitution say about this?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

I do believe that protests will grow, and the govt's response will be stronger and more repellant, especially if Hillary wins.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

11. I am not familiar with yesterday's activities, but

peaceable assembly does not mean that you get to block the sidewalks and streets and prevent others from going about their business. There are surely parts of the Capitol that have to be left open for access.

I'm certain the protestors knew that by being where they were they would be asked to leave, and that if they did not leave, they would be arrested.

I've been to the Supreme Court, across the street from the Capitol, and I've seen protestors demonstrate for and again cases being decided. As long as everyone has passage, no one gets arrested.

It was a lot of fun when the middle school or high school kids got to walk past the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence when Obergefell v. Hodges was handed down. Welcome to DC, kids.

[FighttheFuture]

12. Right, Make yourself as obscure and non-disruptive as possible. That's the way to change!

[Igel]

21. That's why it's called "civil disobedience."

The goal is to break laws to attract attention not (just) by the protest but by being arrested.

Protest is cheap; showing that you have the courage of your convictions is expensive.


(At the same time, if I want to change your mind I can argue with you. Or I can find 20 like-minded friends and occupy your bathroom and car. One has no consequence; the other will inconvenience you and at some point you might decide that you want us gone because we're "inconvenient" and you have rights, too.)

[FighttheFuture]

22. Exactly my point.

[hack89]

14. But President Cruz or Trump will welcome the protestors with open arms?

do you actually read what you post?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. NO, I was chugging Mogan David with Xanax and blogged in my sleep.

Did I say anything about the GOP, or offer my opinion as to what would happen to this country if a tea bagger was elected?

Geez, some people seem to want to pick fights here. I will be polite just this once, before I put you on ignore.
Why do you act so childishly and spitefully?

[hack89]

18. "especially if Hillary wins"

which implies that it won't be as bad if she loses. You wrote it - you own it.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

19. welcome to ignore. Hillarians should stick together.

no one else wants them around.

[hack89]

20. Typical mature BernieBro response.

it is so unfortunate such a good man has such poor followers. He deserves better.

[Bodych]

13. Now Add to That the Number of Goldman-Sachs Executives Arrested/Jailed....

...for helping destroy the world economy, for robbing from the poor and unaware, for sucking the life out of millions of families...

...and the 400+ number remains the same.

Inexplicable.

[jtuck004]

17. "Inexplicable." No it's not. n/t

[tabasco]

16. The corporate mass media seems to be ignoring this.

Not a word on google news.

[oldandhappy]

23. duh, giggle

Hard to believe how little I have missed corporate 'news' since I left them. Thank you to all of you contributing time and talent to alternative media. You are champions!