Various Congress members were arrested on Tuesday, along with about 200 labor leaders and immigration activists who rallied outside the Capitol during a demonstration that demanded the House take another look at immigration reform.
Democratic Reps. Charles B. Rangel and Joseph Crowley of New York, John Lewis of Georgia, Luis V. Gutierrez and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois and Arizona's Raul M. Grijalva were all taken into police custody. U.S. Capitol Police reported that the group of legislators would be charged with "crowding, obstructing and incommoding."
Protestors gathered at the Capital following a demonstration and concert on the National Mall that organizers named a campaign of civil disobedience, the Los Angeles Times reported. Some of the activists sat in the street and on sidewalks.
"My colleagues and I are not afraid to get arrested for what we believe is important to move America forward," Rangel said in a video he posted on Twitter.
"We strongly believe we could get the majority between Democrats and some Republicans to pass immigration reform," Maria Elena Durazo, head of the LA County Federation of Labor, who was also arrested, said before the rally.
Due to the government shutdown, the National Mall was closed, but demonstrators were technically allowed to rally there under the First Amendment. During the protest, called Camino Americano, activists held signs bearing messages of unity.
"Keep families together-immigration reform now," one sign read. Three boys wore shirts that read, "Don't deport my dad."
Demonstrators organized the rally after House Democrats proposed a bill last week that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who spoke at the rally, said would help bring down the deficit while simultaneously benefiting the economy. Some of the activists gathered there, including Rep. Gutierrez, said that the demonstration aimed to put pressure on House Republicans to get to work on immigration reform.
"Since the election last November, the United States has deported another 400,000 people," Gutierrez said, reported by the Huffington Post. "We know the enormous toll it takes on our families, our neighborhoods and our peace of mind. Our communities and our families do not have the luxury to rest or relax."
According to the LA Times, the Senate approved a bipartisan immigration bill in July, but it didn't meet such support at the House of Representatives. Some political experts wager the bill won't make it past the next session.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, one of the staunchest opponents of the bill, expressed disapproval toward Pelosi and the nature of Tuesday's rally.
"There's something odd about House leaders like Nancy Pelosi protesting on the Mall to get jobs for illegal aliens and pushing legislation to reduce job opportunities for U.S. citizens," he stated in a release that went public shortly after the demonstration.
During her speech Pelosi was joined at the podium by around 15 legislators. She stated that immigrants "make America more American," while the crowd chanted, "Si se puede"- Spanish for "Yes we can" - and "We need a vote."
