17 Lawmakers Arrested In DC Abortion Rights Protest

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Capitol Police arrested 17 lawmakers Tuesday afternoon 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, along with "several of her colleagues while marching to protect abortion access."

She was released about an hour after her arrest, processed, and released, her office said.

Capitol Police said the protesters blocked First Street Northeast and received three warnings to clear a path.

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