Seventeen House Democrats were arrested Tuesday, July 19, after gathering outside the Supreme Court to protest the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson. The sixteen congresswomen and one congressman gathered near the steps of the Marble Palace to participate in a "green wave" protest arranged by Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights. Sporting custom "we won't back down" green bandanas, the congress members marched from the Capitol Building to the court, chanting.

Within moments of the congress members' arrival at the court, which had been blocked off by police since the June 24 ruling, police demanded protesters "cease and desist." In an act of civil disobedience, the protesters sat in the street, prompting police to make arrests. All lawmakers arrested were later released on scene.

Among those arrested on Tuesday were representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Carolyn Maloney, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Talib, Cori Bush, Veronica Escobar, Jackie Speier, Barbara Lee, Ayanna Pressley, and Katherine Clark.

Following their arrests, several congress members issued statements on social media, including Speier of California, who, at 72, was the oldest member of Congress to participate in the day's events.

"I have never been arrested before, but I can hear the late, great Congressman John Lewis imploring me to 'make some noise and get in good trouble,'" she wrote. "We must be willing to speak out for patients who have the right to basic health care and the fundamental right to bodily autonomy."

In a statement, Capitol Police said they made the arrests because protesters were "crowding, obstructing or incommoding" public spaces. They also confirmed that the protesters had received three warnings to move out of the street before police action.

Just a PR stunt?
In the days following the D.C. protests and arrests, many conservatives took to social media to accuse members of the "squad" of "faking" their arrests. People pointed out that Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez held her hands behind her back while being escorted away from the scene by police despite not wearing handcuffs, and they accused her of pulling a stunt for publicity.

Capitol Police records show that all seventeen arrests did occur, and Ocasio-Cortez posted her arrest paperwork and $50 fine on Instagram as proof. Addressing the rumors further, she explained her hand posture on Twitter, writing, "putting your hands behind your back is a best practice while detained, handcuffed or not, to avoid escalating charges like resisting arrest."

Tuesday's protests were not the first for Democratic members of Congress. Many have been actively protesting the overturning of Roe v. Wade since before the decision was even released.

Following the release of the ruling, 181 protesters were arrested outside the Supreme Court, including Rep. Judy Chu, who was the only member of Congress to propose legislation to codify Roe before the ruling. Unfortunately, the bill, which passed through the House in September, died in a filibuster on the Senate floor.

Further action
Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights has plans for future protests across the nation, and the group expects more support and action from Democratic leaders in Congress. "I will continue to do everything in my power to raise the alarm about the assault on our reproductive rights," Rep. Omar said following Tuesday's events.

While lawmakers are stirring up action outside the Capitol Building, the American people just hope they can keep the momentum going on the inside. Only days before the protest, on July 15, the House passed yet another bill to federally protect abortion rights. If the bill can hold out until after the November mid-terms, Democrats are hopeful it may have a fighting chance.