About 60 people arrested after veterans’ anti-ICE demonstration in Washington, DC, police say
The U.S. Capitol was the site of a dramatic protest on Friday, as roughly 60 demonstrators were arrested after breaching a police line and advancing toward the Capitol Rotunda. The protesters, consisting of veterans and military family members, had planned a sit-in on the Capitol steps to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and active-duty Marines in Los Angeles to respond to anti-ICE protests.
The protest was also in response to a military parade scheduled for Saturday, which coincides with President Trump’s 79th birthday. The president had warned that anyone protesting at the parade would be met with “very heavy force,” although the White House later clarified that Trump supports peaceful protests.
Despite the tense atmosphere, a group of about 75 protesters gathered peacefully at the Supreme Court, just across from the Capitol. However, the situation escalated when some individuals pushed down a bike rack and crossed the police line, prompting officers to make arrests.
The arrested protesters will face charges of unlawful demonstration and crossing a police line, with some facing additional charges such as assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. Two individuals were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The protest was organized by advocacy groups About Face: Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace. Brittany Ramos DeBarros, an Army combat veteran and Organizing Director of About Face, expressed the group’s desire for a future where resources are invested in care for veterans, healthcare, and education, rather than costly military parades.
The upcoming military parade, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday, is expected to draw up to 200,000 attendees despite the threat of rain. The parade, estimated to cost $45 million, will showcase soldiers, military equipment, tanks, and airplanes.
In conclusion, the protest at the U.S. Capitol highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding military deployments and demonstrations in the current political climate. The arrests serve as a reminder of the importance of peaceful protest and freedom of expression in a democracy.
