"I got arrested yesterday, we were treated very well," Democracy Spring regional organizer Ardon Shorr said on Tuesday. "It was a pleasure to be a part of it. We came out feeling more powerful."
Democracy Spring is demanding congressional action to ensure free and fair elections in the United States, and end what they view as the disproportionate influence of moneyed interests in politics.
On Monday, police took into custody approximately 430 activists after peacefully demonstrating on the steps of the US Capitol. Additional 80 to 100 activists were being prepared for arrest by Capitol Police on Tuesday afternoon.
According to activist Pamela Ross, who came from New York State to take part in the protests, the processing of the activists by police was "very peaceful."
Those who were detained will have to pay a fine within 15 days or seek a court date.
"I am going to pay my fair share, just like those billionaires should be paying their fair share," Ross said.
Shorr explained that the activists are prepared to send wave after wave of protestors to jail throughout the coming week.
"We are sitting-in to send a message to members of Congress that they have to act now or send patriotic citizens to jail every day for the next week," he stated.
Among its demands, Democracy Spring is calling for congressional action on four pieces of legislation to restrict campaign finance. Moreover, the group calls for the overturn of Supreme Court’s Citizen’s United ruling that allowed unlimited corporate campaign contributions in the United States.
Finally, Democracy Spring is calling for the reinstatement of the Voting Rights Act to stop voter disenfranchisement.
