A video posted to Twitter shows Capitol Police arresting Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) during a protest Thursday spotlighting the Senate’s lack of action on voting rights legislation.
In the video, Capitol police officers arrest the Congressman as he continues shouting, “Whose streets? Our streets. Whose House? Our House," with other protesters attending the Brothers Day of Action on Capitol Hill.
Capitol Police said they arrested 10 protesters outside the Hart Building.
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“Today, Congressman Hank Johnson was arrested along with a group of black male voting rights activists protesting against Senate inaction on voting rights legislation and filibuster reform,” Rep. Johnson’s office wrote in a statement provided to CNN.
“In the spirit of his dear friend and mentor -- the late Congressman John Lewis -- Rep. Johnson was getting in ‘good trouble’ fighting for and protecting civil and voting rights for all Americans.”
Last week, Capitol Police arrested another Black lawmaker, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), while protesting over voting rights on the Hill. Beatty is chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Both protest events intended to persuade Senate lawmakers to pass the For the People Act. The bill (H.R.1) sailed through the House earlier this year but has been stalled in the Senate (S.1).
So far this year, at least 18 states have passed 30 new laws that tighten or restrict access to voting, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. In addition, more than 400 bills targeting voting access have been introduced in legislatures nationwide.
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