USCP Arrests 181 Protesters for Demonstration Activity at Senate Finance Committee Hearing

At approximately 2 p.m., the United States Capitol Police (USCP) responded to the Senate Finance Committee hearing room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building for reported demonstration activity.

Officers on the scene arrested the demonstrators when they failed to cease and desist with their unlawful demonstration activities in the Committee hearing room, resulting in the disruption of the hearing. Fifteen demonstrators were arrested and charged with DC Code §10-503.16 - Disruption of Congress.

In addition, USCP officers responded to demonstration activities in the hallway outside of the Committee hearing room. 143 individuals were arrested after refusing to cease and desist with their unlawful demonstration activities in the hallway. They were charged with D.C. Code §22-1307, Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding. Twenty-three individuals were charged with D.C. Code §22-1307, Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding and resisting arrest.

Several of the demonstrators, as part of their protest activities, removed themselves from their mobility devices and lay themselves on the floor, which resulted in USCP officers having to reunite demonstrators with their mobility devices.

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