Approx. 155 Demonstrators Arrested in Senate Office Buildings

On July 19, 2017, beginning at approximately 2:15 p.m., the United States Capitol Police (USCP) responded to 45 locations in the Senate Office Buildings for reported demonstration activity.

After officers arrived at the numerous scenes, they warned the demonstrators to cease and desist with their unlawful demonstration activities.

Approximately 155 arrests were made. Those who refused to cease and desist were placed under arrest and charged with D.C. Code §22-1307, Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding. In addition, five demonstrators also were charged with resisting arrest.

Under D.C. Code §22-1307, "(a) It is unlawful for a person, alone or in concert with others

(1) To crowd, obstruct, or incommode:

(A) The use of any street, avenue, alley, road, highway, or sidewalk;

(B) The entrance of any public or private building or enclosure;

(C) The use of or passage through any public building or public conveyance; or

(D) The passage through or within any park or reservation; and

(2)To continue or resume the crowding, obstructing, or incommoding after being instructed by a law enforcement officer to cease the crowding, obstructing, or incommoding.

(b)(1) It is unlawful for a person, alone or in concert with others, to engage in a demonstration in an area where it is otherwise unlawful to demonstrate and to continue or resume engaging in a demonstration after being instructed by a law enforcement officer to cease engaging in a demonstration.

(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term "demonstration" means marching, congregating, standing, sitting, lying down, parading, demonstrating, or patrolling by one or more persons, with or without signs, for the purpose of persuading one or more individuals, or the public, or to protest some action, attitude, or belief.

(c) A person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or both."

NOTE: Under D.C. Code 10-503.16(b)(7), it is unlawful to demonstrate in any of the Capitol Buildings.

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