17 members of US Congress among 35 held over abortion rights protest in Washington

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) – At least 35 people, including 17 US lawmakers, were arrested at an abortion rights protest outside the Supreme Court in Washington on Tuesday, police said.

“We made a total of 35 arrests for Crowding, Obstructing or Incommoding (DC Code § 22–1307). That arrest number includes 17 Members of Congress,” the US Capitol Police said in a written statement on Twitter.

“Demonstrators are starting to block First Street, NE. It is against the law to block traffic, so officers are going to give our standard three warnings before they start making arrests,” the Capitol Police said.

Ilhan Omar, who in 2018 won seats in the US House of Representatives, and US lawmaker Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian Muslim, were among those arrested during the demonstration.

Rep. Katherine Clark, the Democratic assistant speaker of the House, as well as a spokesperson for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, were also arrested.

Ilhan Omar shared the images of the moment she was detained on her social media account, saying: “Today I was arrested while participating in a civil disobedience action with my fellow Members of Congress outside the Supreme Court. I will continue to do everything in my power to raise the alarm about the assault on our reproductive rights!”

US Supreme Court on June 24 overturned Roe v. Wade case, ending the constitutional right to abortion.

In a 6-3 vote, the court struck down the 1973 case that guaranteed the constitutional right to an abortion for about 50 years.

The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in nearly half of the states in the country.

President Joe Biden slammed the decision by Supreme Court on abortion, saying it took the US back 150 years.

Biden said women have the power to control their own destiny, adding: "With Roe gone, let's be very clear. The health and life of women in this nation are now at risk."

After the court's decision, demonstrations are held from time to time outside the Supreme Court and in various cities of the US.