Revs. Jesse Jackson and William Barber were released from police custody on Monday after being arrested at a sit-in outside Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s office in Arizona.
The demonstration, held in Phoenix, was held to demand an end to the filibuster, a move opposed by Sinema that would remove the 60-vote threshold for passing most pieces of legislation.
Jackson and Barber, who were among 39 people arrested, face misdemeanor criminal trespassing charges, the Phoenix Police Department told local news outlets.
The organization that hosted the sit-in, Repairers of the Breach, said Jackson and Barber were among the group facing charges.
ARIZONA SENATE AUDIT LIAISON THREATENS TO QUIT AFTER BEING DENIED ACCESS TO BALLOT COUNT
Rev. Jesse Jackson emerging from suv after civil rights icon was arrested by Phoenix PD in protest at @SenatorSinema’s district office. Rev William Barber was also in vehicle after his arrest. Protesters were charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass. pic.twitter.com/g8DHiQ7Uob
— Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) July 26, 2021
Protesters outside the senator’s office favor the Democratic-backed For the People Act, which passed the House but was blocked last month by Senate Republicans, employing the filibuster. Democrats say the legislation would expand voting access and reduce the influence of money in elections, while Republicans warn it amounts to a federal takeover of the election system that will create opportunities for fraud.
Sinema’s office released a statement noting she supports the voting rights legislation but repeated her stance against ending the filibuster.
“Would it be good for our country if we did, only to see that legislation rescinded a few years from now and replaced by a nationwide voter-ID law or restrictions on voting by mail in federal elections, over the objections of the Senate minority?” a spokesperson for Sinema asked.
“That is one example of how the filibuster helps protect the country from wild swings between opposing policy poles,” the spokesperson added.
The demonstration on Monday was the second protest in July at Sinema’s district office for her support of the filibuster, a local KPNX TV journalist reported.
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The Washington Examiner contacted PPD, Sinema’s office, and the Repairers of the Breach but did not immediately receive a response.
