Dozens of people who participated in a protest held by veterans against the Army's military parade on Saturday were detained on the U.S. Capitol Grounds after crossing a barrier and rushing towards the steps of the U.S. Capitol building for what organizers described as a "staged sit-in."
A 7News photographer captured the moment when roughly 60 people entered through an opening in a barrier toward the steps of the Capitol shortly before 7 p.m. The group had just concluded a protest in front of the Supreme Court building and were preparing to take photos near the Capitol building when the incident occurred.
Capitol Police closed off a barrier in front of the U.S. Capitol Building moments after the protesters wrapped up outside the Supreme Court building. Roughly 60 members of the group then pushed down a bike rack and crossed police lines while running towards the Rotunda steps, police officials said.
7News cameras captured the moment when officers standing behind another gate on the steps of the Capitol building detained several people and pushed one woman down the steps.
Shortly after, protesters sat down on the steps with signs that read "Veterans say military off our streets" and "Money for people, not parades."
Just moments before, the About Face Veterans held a protest calling for Congress and the Trump administration to stop deploying military forces on city streets in Los Angeles and D.C. They also highly criticized the Army's 250th birthday parade set for Saturday.
U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officials said they were aware of the veterans' protest. They said the event involved roughly 75 people and remained peaceful until protesters broke through the barriers.
"On the eve of Donald Trump’s $45+ million military birthday parade, approximately 60 veterans and military family members staged a sit-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC to demand the military get off our city streets from LA to DC, and taxpayer money be directed towards real investments in housing, health care, and food — not political stunts or militarism," the group said in its statement.
The rally included remarks from Army, Air Force, Marine, and National Guard veterans, according to the organization. The group said Friday evening's actions were part of a planned sit-in on the U.S. Capitol steps.
"We want a future where we invest in care for veterans, in health care, and in education, not where we spend $50 million on a parade,” said Brittany Ramos DeBarros, an Army combat veteran and Organizing Director of About Face: Veterans Against the War, in a statement to 7News.
Many of those detained wore shirts that read "Veterans Against Fascism."
Capitol police said all 60 protesters will be charged with unlawful demonstration and crossing a police line. Some will be charged with assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, USCP officials said.
The woman was taken to the hospital for her injuries, officials confirmed.
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