Arrests Made as Hundreds of Elderly Americans Protest at 2nd ‘Democracy Spring’ Sit-In
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Hundreds of Americans, many of whom are elderly, marched in support of political reform in Washington, DC, taking part in a sit-in and risking arrest as they pushed for fairer elections.
Russia Today's correspondent was one of those detained in the demonstration on Tuesday.
Already, multiple arrests have been made, according to reports from those on the ground near the demonstrations.
The sit-in comes one day after more than 400 people were arrested for participating in what has been been termed the 'Democracy Spring' movement.
The organization has planned for 10 days of demonstrations and mass sit-ins at the US capitol, with day two highlighting efforts from older Americans who want to see change.
“As ‘elders’ we have a moral imperative to care for and speak for future generations,” the Democracy Spring website reads. “We aim to use our wisdom and life experience to guide our actions, and stand together to create our legacy and reclaim our democracy.”
As protesters marched on the US capitol, many elderly Americans held signs and chanted slogans such as: "Democracy is not for sale, [we're] not too old to go to jail.”
“I’m not dead yet; I care deeply; I vote,” read another sign held by a demonstrator.
Social media users have reported seeing dozens of police officers out to keep an eye on the protesters and make arrests.
As part of its movement, Democracy Spring is pushing lawmakers to pass legislation that would boost the power of small campaign contributions, offer public funding for political candidates, and update the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in order to protect minority and lower-income voters at the polls.
The group is also calling for a constitutional amendment that would essentially overturn Supreme Court rulings giving corporations the ability to freely spend in elections. The amendment would end “the big money dominance of our elections and allows for Congress and the States to set overall limits on campaign spending, including prohibitions on corporate and union spending in the political process.”
Additionally, Democracy Spring wants to see Congress hold hearings and vote on filling the vacancy on the Supreme Court.
The mainstream media has not covered the event, even ignoring protesters as they blocked Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) from arriving at a press conference he had scheduled at the Republican National Committee headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.
