US Rep. Omar arrested in Washington, DC, amid protest

By KSTP
FILE - Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks on July 25, 2019, as she introduces the Zero Waste Act at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has been arrested in Washington, D.C.

Omar’s staff confirmed her arrest Tuesday afternoon.

The Congresswoman issued the following response on social media:

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

Earlier in the day, Omar’s office had said the Congresswoman would be participating in an event at the United States Supreme Court Tuesday to protest the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Omar was expected to attend the event with other lawmakers, including the following Democrats:

  • Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif.
  • Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo.
  • Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.
  • Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif.
  • Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Penn.

In addition to Omar, a number of lawmakers at the protest confirmed on their official Twitter accounts they were arrested including:
Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass.
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo.
Rep. Alma Adams D-N.C.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.
Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif.

According to The Hill, these lawmakers were also arrested:
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J.
Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich.
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.

ABC News confirmed that New York Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez was arrested.

Although U.S. Capitol Police did not release the names, they say a total of 35 people—including 17 members of Congress—were arrested for blocking First Street Northeast. Police had originally stated they arrested 34 people, including 16 members of Congress.

Police said it is against the law to block traffic, and added they issued three standard warnings before arresting some of the demonstrators who refused to get out of the street.

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