On Tuesday (July 19), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a group of her Democrat colleagues were arrested by the U.S. Capitol Police during a pro-choice rally outside of the Supreme Court.
“Today, Rep. AOC was arrested along with other members of Congress outside the Supreme Court for protesting in support of abortion rights,” Ocasio-Cortez’s official Congress Twitter account posted.
Other Democratic representatives arrested on Tuesday included Alma Adams (D-NC), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Andy Levin (D-MI), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), and Jackie Speier (D-CA). Along with Ocasio-Cortez, four other members of The Squad, the most progressive members of the U.S. Congress, were also arrested: Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Cori Bush (D-MO).
According to The Hill, they took the group into custody for blocking the street after police gave them three warnings for “crowding, obstructing or incommoding.”
Texas representative Veronica Escobar tweeted that her “arrest today for civil disobedience was a small act in the centuries-long battle to ensure every woman has the freedom to make personal decisions with those they love and trust without politicians trying to control them.” She used the hashtag #GoodTrouble.
Supporters of abortion rights took to social media to comment on the arrests of Ocasio-Cortez and the rest of the Democrats.
Many voiced their anger at the Supreme Court decision and highlighted the fact that women are supporting women.
Others thanked the congress representatives for standing up for their right to choose.
Following the arrest, AOC took to Instagram Stories to answer questions from her followers and provide updates. “We’re all good and made it back in time of votes,” the congresswoman wrote. Additionally, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez addressed the reports that she faked being handcuffed, negating the claims and saying that it’s an attempt from Republicans to distract the public from speaking on abortion rights. She also shared a look at her arrest paperwork and the fine she received of $50. She adds, “This is my charge and fine… worth it.”