New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman was among approximately 30 protesters arrested on Thursday at the U.S. Capitol building during a demonstration over election reform.
“Today, Congressman Jamaal Bowman joined a voting rights non-violent direct action at the North Barricade of the U.S. Capitol Building and was arrested by the U.S. Capitol Police,” Bowman’s communications director Marcus Frias said.
“We will provide more information and updates as we gather them,” she added.
As @JamaalBowmanNY engages and thanks a group of of us fighting for voting rights outside the Capitol, @CapitolPolice cuff him and put him under arrest with the group. Thanks for always standing with the people! #VotingRightsNow @LetsUnpac @peoplefor pic.twitter.com/Py2YHNAMUL
— Markus Batchelor (@MarkusforDC) January 20, 2022
The arrests reportedly took place after the demonstrators blocked a driveway and failed to allow others to pass.
Just before 12:00 pm, demonstrators started blocking one side of the North Barricade outside the U.S. Capitol.
We have already issued them three warnings.
The demonstrators refused to move out of the driveway, so we are making arrests. pic.twitter.com/GqlmyGQ1KD
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) January 20, 2022
The protest followed the failure to pass an agreement to change the filibuster rule in the Senate that would allow Democrats to pass a new voting rights bill that would federalize many state-level voting requirements.
The arrest brings even more attention to the election rights issue as Democrats seek to make changes in opposition to conservative bills designed to decrease cheating in future elections.
