On Tuesday morning, Capitol Police detained 13 individuals who were protesting the Supreme Court’s review of restrictions on the abortion medication, mifepristone. The justices of the Supreme Court were set to deliberate on whether the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had lawfully eased restrictions, facilitating easier access to mifepristone for terminating pregnancies. This medication, which is the initial pill in a two-drug regimen for a medication abortion, represents the most prevalent method of abortion in the United States.
The Capitol Police reported that the protesters were navigating the Capitol grounds, unlawfully obstructing roads and subsequently a walkway. During a rally on March 26, 2024, in Washington, abortion-rights activists found themselves under arrest by the U.S. Capitol police as they demonstrated outside of the Supreme Court.
A spokesperson for the Capitol Police stated, “Our officers issued a warning to the group to cease blocking the walkway, or face arrest. They ignored the warning, leading to their arrest by our officers.”
Throughout the morning, the vicinity of the building witnessed large, opposing demonstrations. Smaller factions of pro-abortion rights demonstrators organized sit-ins along sidewalks and roadways. The affiliation of the protesters, whether they were part of a specific group, remains uncertain.