Dozens of protesters were arrested outside the Supreme Court Thursday for demonstrating against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who was testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding allegations that he had sexually harassed several women.
More than 50 people, many of whom were protesting since the early hours of the morning, blocked the street to the Supreme Court building Thursday afternoon, singing “We shall not be moved.” U.S. Capitol Police issued multiple warnings to them to clear the path or face arrest.
Arrests underway in front of the Supreme Court – all anti-Kavanaugh protesters.
Crowd now shouting “arrest rapists, not protesters.” pic.twitter.com/6zJ1IgWYHl
— Ellison Barber (@ellisonbarber) September 27, 2018
According to the police data, 59 people were arrested, with charges including crowding or obstructing, DCist reported.
Line of protesters after being arrested outside the Supreme Court pic.twitter.com/nR4elADhlD
— Andy Kroll (@AndyKroll) September 27, 2018
Among the arrests were Women’s March co-founders Tamika Mallory, Bob Bland, and Linda Sarsour.
.@TamikaDMallory arrested while chanting “we want freedom for survivors!”
📸@KishaBari #CancelKavanaugh #BelieveSurvivors pic.twitter.com/1yR5ZI4DDc
— Women's March (@womensmarch) September 27, 2018
Numerous rallies, organized by multiple organizations including NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, the Women’s March, and Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, were held to take a stand against Kavanaugh. Protesters left hundreds of flowers on the Supreme Court steps in honor of survivors, as well as Ford and two other women, Julie Swetnick and Deborah Ramirez, who have accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault.
Wow. The front steps of the Supreme Court right now, blanketed with flowers and notes in support of Kavanagh's three accusers. pic.twitter.com/tJ6K8rzer7
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) September 27, 2018
The judge’s angry, emotional, and, at times, unintelligible testimony followed that of his accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who says Kavanaugh pinned her down during a high school party in the 1980s, and groped her while attempting to remove her clothing. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.