17 Congress Members Arrested at a Massive Abortion Rights Protest

17 Democratic members of Congress were arrested yesterday afternoon at a peaceful pro-choice protest that took place in front of the Supreme Court. 

“The United States Capitol Police (USCP) arrested 35 people, including 17 members of Congress, for blocking First Street NE, near the Supreme Court,” states a press release by the USCP. “It is against the law to block traffic….When the demonstrators refused to get out of the street, the officers arrested them for Crowding, Obstructing or Incommoding.” 

Congresswoman Ayanna Presley (MA-07), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05) posted pictures of the protest and videos of their arrests on social media. All were among the members of Congress that were arrested Tuesday afternoon. 

“Today I was arrested while participating in a civil disobedience action with my fellow Members of Congress outside the Supreme Court,” writes Omar on her Instagram post. “I will continue to do everything in my power to raise the alarm about the assault on our reproductive rights!”

Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09) was the only male Congress member to get arrested yesterday. 

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to protect abortion rights,” states Levin on his Instagram. “Even if it means getting arrested.” 

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) reposted Levin’s Instagram reel and praised him on her Instagram stories. 

“Shoutout to @andylevinmi who was the ONLY male member of Congress to get arrested alongside 16 Congresswomen + activists today.” Ocasio-Cortez posts. “Men: more of this energy please!”

Ocasio-Cortez was also one of the 17 Congress members that were arrested yesterday. According to her Instagram story, she was charged with Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding and fined $50. 

Today, Rep. AOC was arrested along with other members of Congress outside the Supreme Court for protesting in support of abortion rights. #AbortionRightsAreHumanRights pic.twitter.com/gvj9J1o5ic

— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) July 19, 2022

Many members of the protests in Washington D.C were seen wearing green bananas that wrote “Won’t Back Down” and carrying purple signs that read “My Body, My Choice.” Protests against the overturn of Roe v Wade are still happening around the country, even though the reversal happened almost one month ago. 

Here at Glitter, we applaud all of the Congress members and activists that fought for every woman’s right to choose. 

A list of the other Congress members that were arrested yesterday can be found below. 

Full List of Congress Members Arrested

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14)

Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12)

Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09)

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13)

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-13)

Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01)

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05)

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09)

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14)

Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05)

Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04)

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07)

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53)

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16)