U.S. Capitol Police arrested a dozen protesters after they held a demonstration inside the Cannon House Office Building, Capitol Police said.
A video posted on social media showed protesters sporting banners and chanting “No cuts to Medicaid” and “No cuts to climate” in the rotunda, ABC News reported. Capitol Police told the Washington Examiner that multiple warnings were issued to the protesters before 12 were arrested.
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A few dozen protestors just chanted “no cuts to Medicaid” and “no cuts to climate” in the Cannon House office building.
Comes minutes from President Biden’s expected meeting with congressional leaders on the debt ceiling. pic.twitter.com/dggWNsXMI1
— Jay O’Brien (@jayobtv) May 16, 2023
“Multiple warnings (standard practice for demonstrations) were given to a group demonstrating inside of the Cannon Rotunda. I am not aware of the specific chants, however, we made 12 arrests (10 women and 2 men) and they will all be charged with Demonstrating Inside of a Congressional Building,” a Capitol Police spokeswoman said.
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The Department of Justice holds that “Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building, in violation of Title 40, United States Code, Section 5104(e)(2)(G),” carries a maximum punishment of six months in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.
The protesters’ chants appeared to be regarding coming debt ceiling negotiations between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Democrats have been weary of any potential cuts toward social spending.
