abortion rights

Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Katherine Clark Arrested at Protest Supporting Abortion Rights

Pressley is one of many New England lawmakers who have been vocal about their opposition to the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade last month

NBC Universal, Inc.

Massachusetts Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Katherine Clark were arrested while attending a protest in support of abortion rights in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

In a statement, Pressley spokesperson Ricardo A. Sánchez said Pressley was one of several people arrested by U.S. Capitol police during the event outside the U.S Supreme Court.

“Today, Congresswoman Pressley joined her colleagues and grassroots advocates for a non-violent civil disobedience to protest the Supreme Court’s cruel and callous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and strip away abortion rights for everyone who calls America home," Sanchez wrote in a statement.

Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark tweeted out a photo showing her being led away by a police officer, saying "They can arrest me, but we won't allow them to arrest freedom."

Pressley and Clark are among many local lawmakers who have been vocal about their opposition to the Supreme Court decision announced last month. Pressley has said that abortion care is a "fundamental human right" and has vowed to continue the fight to protect it.

U.S. Capitol Police said they made 34 arrests at the protest, including 16 members of Congress. They said the members were blocking the street and "did not move when given the standard three warnings" by Capitol police.

Contact Us