Twenty-one protesters were arrested outside of a Senate office building following demonstrations against Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
“At approximately 8:35 a.m., United States Capitol Police responded to unlawful demonstration activities outside of the Dirksen Senate Office Building,” Eva Malecki, the communications director of the U.S. Capitol Police, told the Washington Examiner.
Malecki added that 21 people were arrested and charged with obstructing an entryway, and one person was charged with unlawful conduct.
The protests began early Monday morning and featured demonstrations both for and against Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court.
“No COVID test, no hearing!” chanted some of the protesters who had donned full hazmat suits. The slogan is a reference to Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who has not made COVID-19 testing mandatory for senators prior to the hearing.
“Hey, hey, ho, ho, Roe v. Wade has got to go!” chanted supporters of Barrett, who is considered a conservative judge.
There was a quick standoff when anti-Coney Barrett protesters encountered pro-life supporters who want her confirmed. pic.twitter.com/r5DFnB3GlW
— Mike Brest (@MikeBrestDC) October 12, 2020
Critics argue that the Senate should wait until after the general election to hold hearings, citing the GOP’s refusal to consider President Barack Obama’s 2016 Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland due to the election-year timing. Republicans have argued that Barrett’s nomination is different than Garland’s because the Senate is controlled by the same party as the sitting president.
Barrett was nominated by President Trump to replace liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September as a result of cancer-related complications.
