Statement from the White House Press Sec regarding immigration protest (after the arrests)

[Tx4obama]

Washington (CNN) - Several House Democrats were arrested near the Capitol on Tuesday during a march for immigration reform.

Reps. John Lewis, Charlie Rangel, Jan Schakowsky, Luis Gutierrez, Al Green and Joseph Crowley locked arms with other protesters, allegedly blocking traffic and refusing to disperse.

Approximately 200 demonstrators were arrested, according to U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman Lt. Kim Schneider. The demonstration activity has concluded, Schneider said, and all roads that had been closed are open.

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Following the arrests, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney issued a statement in support of the protests.

"The enthusiastic demonstration of support for immigration reform this week has proven to Congress that the broad coalition behind commonsense solutions to our nation’s broken immigration laws is as strong as it has ever been," Carney said in a written statement. "It is time for House Republicans to put politics aside and join Democrats to fix our broken immigration system and make the economy stronger."

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http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/08/members-of-congress-arrested-at-immigration-rally/?on.cnn=1

Eight House Democrats Arrested During Immigration Rally On Capitol Hill - PHOTOS

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Eight House Democrats were arrested along with 200 immigration activists during a rally for immigration reform on Tuesday. The March in Washington, D.C. rally follows nationwide demonstrations on Saturday that brought out thousands of immigrant activists to pressure House leaders to overhaul the immigration system by the end of the congressional calendar year.

Among the House members who spoke at the rally and participated in the civil disobedience arrests were the civil rights giant, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), immigration activist Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), and Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY). The other House members who were arrested when they blocked a street near the Capitol are Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Joe Crowley (D-NY), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Al Green (D-TX), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). According to a police officer, they will likely be released Tuesday night after they each pay a $50 fine.

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Photos here: http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2013/10/08/2752891/eight-house-members-arrested-during-immigration-rally/

[DURHAM D]

1. The President should go to the jail and pay the fine for all of them.