CA Rep. Barbara Lee Among 17 Lawmakers Arrested In DC Abortion Protest

OAKLAND, CA — U.S. Capitol Police arrested 17 lawmakers Tuesday afternoon, including Rep. Barbara Lee, for blocking traffic while protesting for abortion access outside the U.S. Supreme Court.

Police tweeted around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday that 35 people were arrested for crowding, obstructing or incommoding.

"That arrest number includes 17 Members of Congress," police said. The demonstrations were held near First Street, NE.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among those arrested. In a video posted to her Twitter account, an officer led Ocasio-Cortez away from the protest in handcuffs.

Staffers for Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey tweeted she, too was arrested. She was released about an hour after her arrest, processed, and released, her office said.

Fellow reps. Carolyn Maloney of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Alma Adams of North Carolina were also arrested, their offices confirmed.

The following lawmakers were among those arrested, according to CNN:

• Rep. Jackie Speier of California
• Rep. Carolyn Malone of New York
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
• Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
• Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
• Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts
• Rep. Andy Levin of Michigan
• Rep. Sara Jacobs of California
• Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts
• Rep. Nydia Velázquez of New York
• Rep. Barbara Lee of California
• Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri
• Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois
• Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania

Lee has represented California’s 13th District since 1998. She is the highest ranking African American woman in Democratic Leadership, serving as co-chair of the Policy and Steering Committee. She also serves on the Budget Committee and the powerful Appropriations Committee, which oversees all federal government spending.

The 13th district includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont and San Leandro.