Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images.
Despite the fact that the National Mall is officially closed because of the federal government shutdown, thousands of people still gathered today for a rally in favor of immigration reform. But during the peaceful protest, at least 100 people were arrested for civil disobedience, the Post reports.
Attendees of today’s protest marched on the National Mall to pressure Congress to “pass an immigration bill that would, among other things, allow the nations estimated 12 million people living here illegally to apply for U.S. citizenship, effectively ending deportations for many of them,” USA Today reports.
Among those allegedly arrested were several lawmakers including Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) (for the 45th time), and Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY). DCist reached out to Capitol Police to confirm these arrests, but a Public Information Officer could not confirm, as those arrested were still being processed.
Police have begun arresting lawmakers at the immigration protest pic.twitter.com/KHL2dimlcD
— john r stanton (@dcbigjohn) October 8, 2013
Here’s Keith Ellison getting arrested for the immigration civil disobedience pic.twitter.com/v863IjDQBM
— Elise Foley (@elisefoley) October 8, 2013
45th arrest for @repjohnlewis during Camino Americano Rally in DC while demanding dignity, respect for immigrants pic.twitter.com/b7NRsFW9GE
— Jennifer Mayerle (@jennifermayerle) October 8, 2013
Lawmakers arrested during immigration rally in front of Capitol. pic.twitter.com/smMv0Fp2JG
— Elahe Izadi (@ElaheIzadi) October 8, 2013
