8 Congressmen Arrested During Immigration Rally (photos)

Civil rights veteran Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.; Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.; Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.; Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y.; Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn.; Rep. Al Green, D-Texas; Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.; and Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.; joined 200 others who were arrested as part of an act of civil disobedience Oct. 8, after they blocked a main street near the Capitol during a massive rally seeking to push Republicans to hold a vote on a stalled immigration reform bill. Others arrested included Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and several members of the clergy. The rally took place after the six-time Grammy winners Los Tigres del Norte performed at the National Mall during a show in which the Mexican band dedicated each song to the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally. The “Camino Americano: March for Dignity and Respect” was held as scheduled despite the National Mall being closed for the government shutdown. A bill has already passed in the Democratic-controlled Senate and is backed by the White House which includes billions of dollars for border security as well as a 13-year path to citizenship for those already in the U.S. illegally. However, prospects for final passage appears dim due to opposition in the GOP-dominated House of Representatives.

View our pictures of the rally and the arrests by clicking on the photo icons below.