Pictured: U.S. Rep. and Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty (D-3), a Columbus Democrat and currently the only Black in Congress from Ohio, is arrested at a voting rights demonstration in Washington, D.C. on July 15Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper in Ohio and in the Midwest, and the most read independent digital news in Ohio
WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-3), a Columbus Democrat and currently the only Black in Congress from Ohio, was arrested on Thursday during a Day of Action voting rights demonstration in Washington D.C.
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Beatty was reportedly arrested around 3:30 p.m. in the Hart Senate Office Building and was one of nine people arrested in the building's atrium.
"Fight for justice" supporters chanted as Beatty was taken into custody and handcuffed.
Beatty issued a statement on Twitter that said, "I stand in solidarity with Black women and allies across the country in defense of our constitutional right to vote."
The congresswoman said that "we have come too far and fought too hard to see everything systematically dismantled and restricted by those who wish to silence us."
According to WSYX, U.S. Capitol Police said the group was arrested for "demonstrating in a prohibited area on Capitol grounds." The demonstrators were issued several warnings to stop before those who refused were arrested.
