Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty arrested in Washington D.C. during voting rights demonstration

WASHINGTON D.C. — On Thursday, Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty (Ohio-3rd District) was arrested during a Day of Action voting rights demonstration in Washington D.C.

WSYX reported that Beatty, who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, was arrested around 3:30 p.m. in the Hart Senate Office Building. Beatty was one of nine people arrested in the building's atrium.

A crowd chanted "fight for justice" as Beatty was taken into custody.

According to WSYX, U.S. Capitol Police said the group was arrested for "demonstrating in a prohibited area on Capitol grounds." The demonstrators were issued several warnings to stop before those who refused were arrested.

A video of the demonstration was posted to Beatty's Instagram account prior to the arrests.

Photos of the arrest were posted to Beatty's twitter account this afternoon.

Beatty later issued a statement on Twitter that said, "I stand in solidarity with Black women and allies across the country in defense of our constitutional right to vote. We have come too far and fought too hard to see everything systematically dismantled and restricted by those who wish to silence us. Be assured that this is just the beginning. This our Our Power, Our Message."

Later in the evening, Beatty posted a new message on Twitter.

"You can arrest me. You can’t stop me. You can’t silence me," she said.

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