Yesterday, more than 300 people were arrested on the steps of the U.S. Capitol — all of whom were putting their bodies on the line to wake up a Congress that has gone to sleep on the people and on democracy itself.
This peaceful protest was the culmination of Democracy Awakening, a three-day event that — along with a week of similar actions by Democracy Spring — marks a high point in the pro-democracy movement. Together, the two coalitions issued a strong call for progress towards what a true democracy looks like: one that is of, by, and for the people.
The thousands who flooded in from all over the country to march and the hundreds that were arrested in protest are making three major demands of Congress: to get big money out of politics, expand voting rights and stop voter discrimination, and do its job and vote on a Supreme Court nominee.
Sunday’s march was incredible:
Beautiful people power as over 5,000 march to restore democracy & voting rights. #DemocracyAwakens @DemAwakening pic.twitter.com/xyuzDHRffk
— Energy Action (@energyaction) April 17, 2016
On Monday morning, those risking arrest made their way to the Capitol:
Getting closer to the Capitol. I believe that we will win! #DemocracyAwakens @Tefere_Gebre pic.twitter.com/BpKQkVul8h
— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) April 18, 2016
The protesters were arrested on the grounds of “crowding, obstructing or incommoding” during a non-violent sit-in on the Capitol. Just in case you aren’t familiar with the term incommoding, it means inconveniencing or distressing. Here’s what “inconveniencing” Congress looks like:
The arrests continue, #DemocracyAwakens Time to kick big money out of politics: https://t.co/KiYbl5kkbS #FeelTheBern pic.twitter.com/NSU8Ez36U5
— Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) April 18, 2016
Arrests Monday included approximately 60 leaders of organizations and movements, including Cornell W. Brooks of the NAACP:
BREAKING: NAACP Pres. @CornellWBrooks arrested at #DemocracyAwakens to honor his grandfather James Edward Prioleau. pic.twitter.com/zIbVxbv0DA
— NAACP (@NAACP) April 18, 2016
Aaron Mair of Sierra Club:
Great pic of Sierra Club pres Aaron Mair getting arrested as part of #democracyawakens this morning! (by @Javier_SC) pic.twitter.com/voJy3TSZVy
— Sierra Club (@sierraclub) April 18, 2016
And Greenpeace’s own Annie Leonard:
Our director @AnnieMLeonard was among over 1,400 arrested for #DemocracyAwakening & #DemocracySpring this past week! pic.twitter.com/nxw9Ntv9XL
— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) April 18, 2016
Dedicated activists like Eva Resnick-Day and Dan Cannon risked arrest and reported their experience to people all over the world while it happened:
An honor to be arrested for democracy beside the person who brought me into the movement #DemocracyAwakens pic.twitter.com/8QfRSOnogf
— Eva Resnick-day (@eresnickday) April 18, 2016
People of all ages and backgrounds were part of this non-violent direct action:
Arrests still ongoing at the Capitol. Activists are staying stong! #DemocracyAwakens pic.twitter.com/GKIRl043O1
— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) April 18, 2016
Even founders of a big, successful corporation stood proud for Democracy Awakening:
Here's how business leaders can lead the change for a better democracy > https://t.co/cLwLPjUr37 #DemocracyAwakens pic.twitter.com/Zu4RDlhsTK
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 18, 2016
Long tweet short, it was a huge success:
.@thenation calls @DemAwakening, @DemSpring the most important protest of the 2016 election. https://t.co/gndRnfUxwV pic.twitter.com/K9NaVlcalU
— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) April 19, 2016
Remember, you can support the Democracy Awakening movement from where you are. Take action today!
And all if this wasn’t quite enough Democracy Awakening for you, relive it here:
Miss a moment of @DemAwakening yesterday? Relive it step by step here: https://t.co/lRm1OikiD1 #DemocracyAwakens pic.twitter.com/sFa3rc97k6
— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) April 19, 2016