Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson arrested at voting rights demonstration, second House Democrat detained in a week
Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson was arrested in Washington, D.C., on Thursday for participating in a voting rights demonstration near the U.S. Capitol, his office confirmed.
The 66-year-old Georgia congressman is the second House Democrat taken into custody for participating in a voting rights protest in the past week.
Johnson spoke at a rally organized by the group Black Voters Matter and aimed at pressuring Congress to pass two federal voting-rights bills, the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
"Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) was arrested along with a group of Black male voting rights activists protesting against Senate inaction on voting rights legislation and filibuster reform," Johnson's office said in a statement. Johnson's office said the congressman attended the rally as part of his effort to fight GOP voter suppression measures, in Georgia and other states, that target students, the elderly and people of color.
"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," his office said.
Eva Malecki, Capitol Police's communications director, told USA TODAY that 10 individuals were arrested for "unlawfully demonstrating" outside of the Hart building and that each was charged with crowding, obstructing or causing an inconvenience.
Voting rights: Ga. Rep. Hank Johnson arrested at protest near Capitol (usatoday.com)
Can't we just say Insurrection!