Black assembly chair arrested during protest at Capitol complex

[ad_1]

“Today, I stood in solidarity with black women across the country in defense of our constitutional right to vote,” Betty said in a statement later Thursday. “We have come a long way and fought hard to see everything being systematically dismantled and constrained by those who wish to silence our voices.”

Capitol Police said the group was arrested for violating a metropolitan ordinance prohibiting “hustle, obstruction, or disturbance.”

The buildings that make up the Capitol complex remain closed to most visitors, but members and staff can escort guests inside. The group initially rallied near the church building’s Capitol as part of what participants described as “Day of Action on Voting Rights” with black women leaders, allies, and advocates urging the Senate to pass two key pieces of legislation – a sprawling Democratic Party Electoral Reform Bill and John’s Voting Rights Act Louis.

The largest Democratic bill in Congress faltered after Senate Republicans blocked the bill. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Thursday in a letter to House Democrats that the House will continue its work on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act — a bill intended to restore part of the landmark legislation that the Supreme Court struck down in 2013. This Previous legislation placed restrictions on some states and localities, mostly in the southern United States, forcing them to seek federal approval before changing some voting laws. Legislation is a top priority for Black Cucus, and the group has called on the House of Representatives to reintroduce the bill before its August recess.

But it, too, faces a bleak future in the 50-50 Senate, where an earlier version had the support of only one Republican sponsor, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Arrests of congressmen inside the Capitol complex are uncommon, although Representative Pramila Jayapal (R-W.), was arrested during a 2018 protest in the Senate office building in Hart as well.

Betty herself is no stranger to protesting. She and other officials were pepper sprayed during demonstrations over the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020.

Kathryn Tully-McManus contributed to this report.

[ad_2]