Via Twitter

Protesters have made their voices heard in Washington D.C. Over the past week, more than 1,400 people were arrested at the Capitol for participating in the Democracy Awakening and Democracy Spring movements.

Members of Democracy Spring began protesting corporate financial influence in politics several weeks ago. They were soon joined by members of Democracy Awakening, who protested discriminatory voting laws.

USA Today reported Monday on the protests:

More arrests are expected Monday, the final day of protests when the focus of the non-violent protests turn to voting rights and timely consideration of … Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court. U.S. Capitol Police have arrested more than 900 protesters through Saturday. …

Those arrested were charged with violating a D.C. statute prohibiting “crowding, obstructing, or incommoding,” which are misdemeanors, said police spokeswoman Eva Malecki. All of those arrested were Democracy Spring-related participants. Most were processed and then released on the scene.

On Sunday, Malecki said demonstrators remained “orderly and respectful,” just as they had through the previous week.

Democracy Awakening urged their protesters to wear their “Sunday best” and to bring $50 in cash in anticipation of the planned arrests Monday.

Groups including the NAACP, Sierra Club, Greenpeace and Every Voice participated in the protests. Actress Rosario Dawson, who has been vocal about income inequality, was arrested Friday afternoon. Ben & Jerry’s founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, famous for their political activism as well as their ice cream, were seen stamping bail money with the words “NOT TO BE USED TO BRIBE POLITICIANS.”

According to ReThink Media, the 1,400-plus arrests are the most arrests for a protest in Washington, D.C., surpassing those of the 2013 Tar Sands protest at the White House.

Both Democracy Awakening and Democracy Spring members have been active on social media throughout the protests, sharing footage of the arrests and continued activism.

The peaceful protests were just part of the movement. Activists also met with legislators to discuss much-needed reforms.

While the protests are over, the Democracy Spring and Democracy Awakening movements are just getting started. They have inspired thousands of people to stand up for democratic reforms and have reminded America that peaceful sit-ins and acts of civil disobedience have the power to initiate political change.

–Posted by Emma Niles

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