U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison was arrested Tuesday by U.S. Capitol Police during an immigration rally on the National Mall.
U.S. Rep. Ellison arrested during immigration rally in D.C.
Ellison's office said the move was an act of "civil disobedience" designed to urge Congress to pass legislation that would allow the nation's undocumented immigrants to apply for U.S. citizenship.
By ccmitchell
October 8, 2013 at 11:40PM
As protestors marched toward the U.S. Capitol, Ellison and several other House Democrats sat in the middle of First Avenue NW, blocking traffic.
Police led Ellison away in cuffs shortly after 4 p.m.
Javier Morillo, president of Service Employees International Union Local 26, was also arrested.
Ellison's office said the move was an act of "civil disobedience" designed to urge Congress to pass legislation that would allow the nation's undocumented immigrants to apply for U.S. citizenship.
The march was held on the National Mall even though the open-area park is closed due to the federal government shutdown. The protestors were allowed to rally under their First Amendment rights, the National Park Service said.
Tuesday's protest comes on the heels of more than 100 rallies around the country Saturday, including one in Minneapolis that drew nearly 2,000 people.
Ellison was arrested in April 2009 in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington as they protested the expulsion of aid groups in Darfur.
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