Democracy Spring protesters at the U.S. Capitol employed a new demonstration technique Friday, the fifth day of sit-ins at Congress’ home in the nation’s capital.
During a guided tour of the facility, a dozen protesters refused to go on with and tied themselves to the metal scaffolding beams inside the Capitol rotunda or dome.
The guide collected their passes and contacted U.S. Capitol Police, who arrived almost immediately. The demonstrators’ chants for “an end to voter suppression” and a “democracy where every voice is counted” echoed throughout the 288-foot-tall dome, but they were arrested within minutes of commencing the sit-in.
“Americans from across the political spectrum will continue to rally around these issues until Congress takes action. What we’re seeing here is truly a historic moment as the American people, no matter what their politics, are coming together to demand that congress do its job,” said Elise Whitaker, one of the Democracy Spring organizers who demonstrated inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Those arrested inside the Capitol were among the 800 Democracy Springs activists arrested this week for crowding and obstructing the east steps of the Capitol building. The demonstrations began Monday afternoon.
“American democracy is in crisis,” said Kai Newkirk, Democracy Spring’s campaign director. “When hundreds of people are being arrested day after day at the Capitol, we need our elected officials and those running for office to stand up and speak out to end legalized political corruption and voter suppression. This latest Democracy Spring action is the natural reaction to a do-nothing Congress refusing to listen to the overwhelming majority of the people.”
The event, organized by 501(c)(4) 99 Rise, started in Philadelphia last week. The 3,000 participants marched 140 miles to Washington to insist that lawmakers overhaul campaign finance laws, specifically reversing the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.
