Nearly 200 people were arrested outside of the U.S. Senate during an abortion rights protest. Authorities claim that the protesters were obstructing traffic near the intersection of Constitution Avenue and First Street in northeast Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon.
“We arrested 181 people for Crowding, Obstructing or Incommoding (DC Code § 22–1307) for blocking the intersection of Constitution Avenue, NE and First Street, NE. The intersection reopened at approximately 1:20 p.m.,” U.S. Capitol Police tweeted.
Among those who were arrested was U.S. Rep. Judy Chu of California. After being released by police, Chu issued a statement to The Hill.
“When I first heard Roe was overturned, I immediately thought of who would be most harmed by this decision: a young girl who is a survivor of rape, a woman who cannot afford to travel to another state to access critical care, an expecting mother with an ectopic pregnancy whose life is in danger because she cannot have an abortion,” Chu said.
“So, when I think of all these women — and more — the decision to join in a peaceful demonstration to make clear we will not allow the clock to be rolled back on abortion rights was easy. We are in this together and we will not back down or be silenced. I am ramping up my calls to abolish the Senate filibuster — and actively exploring every option to ensure we pass my bill, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which establishes a federal right to abortion care, and have it signed into law. Lives are at stake and this fight is far from over.”
Protests regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade have taken place repeatedly in the nation’s capital over the last few days and will likely continue to through the holiday weekend.
