Schakowsky arrested at immigration rally
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Evanston Democrat, was arrested Tuesday for blocking a street near the National Mall at an immigration reform rally in Washington, her spokeswoman said.
Schakowsky was with other demonstrators as part of a civil disobedience effort calling for immigration reform, spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.
Schakowsky’s 9th Congressional district includes portions of Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, and Northbrook.
A U.S. Capitol Police spokesman said the charge is “crowding, obstructing, and incommoding.”
At least seven other members of Congress were arrested, too, including U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Chicago Democrat.
Singh said Schakowsky was processed and was released before 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Schakowsky’s wrists were tied as she was being taken away, Singh said.
Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House have been pushing an immigration reform plan that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
But the issue hasn’t always been front-and-center in Congress in the past few weeks as lawmakers have grappled over a government shutdown and the question of military action in Syria.