Metro Detroit Reps. Levin, Tlaib Arrested After Protest Outside US Supreme Court

METRO DETROIT — Two metro Detroit U.S. Representatives were arrested by Capitol police Tuesday afternoon for blocking traffic while protesting for abortion access outside the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, and Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, were among dozens of protesters blocking an intersection between the court building and the U.S. Capitol.

Police tweeted around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday that 35 people were arrested for crowding, obstructing or incommoding. The protesters were seen shouting, "Our bodies, our choice!" and "Hands off our bodies," while pumping their fists in the air in a call and response.

"I’m willing to do whatever it takes to protect abortion rights — even if it means getting arrested," Levin tweeted. "I joined my Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues in a civil disobedience action outside the Supreme Court. We won’t go back!"

CPD Action posted a video of Tlaib, Levin and others being led away by police on Twitter. Levin's office confirmed he was arrested for "crowding, obstructing or incommoding," which is a misdemeanor.

"Civil disobedience has always been part of our history and fight for change. This moment and the fight for women’s and reproductive rights calls for it," Tlaib's office said after her arrest.

Both Tlaib and Levin are seeking reelection to U.S. Congress and face tough Democratic primary's on Aug. 2. Both have called for expanding the U.S. Supreme Court and ending the Senate's filibuster to make abortion rights a federal law.

Capitol Police said they arrested 34 people total, including 16 members of Congress, in connection to the protest for crowding, obstructing or incommoding a roadway. Among those arrested, according to CNN:

• Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark of Massachusetts
• Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts
• Barbara Lee of California
• Jackie Speier of California
• Sara Jacobs of California
• Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
• Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey
• Andy Levin of Michigan
• Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
• Jan Schakowsky of Illinois
• Madeline Dean of Pennsylvania
• Cori Bush of Missouri
• Carolyn Maloney of New York
• Nydia Velazquez of New York
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
• Alma Adams of North Carolina