'Kneel-In' to Protest Budget Cuts Ends with Arrests
WASHINGTON – More than 100 religious leaders took their prayers to Capitol Hill Wednesday morning to hold a peaceful kneel-in on the cold steps of the Cannon House Office Building.
The reported 114 participants crowded around the entrance of the building where they prayed with the support of other believers in 32 other states. Nearly 75 local prayer vigils organized by Sojourners and Call to Renewal took place on the day of the culminating prayer event in protest of the budget reconciliation bill. The Senate and House will be making their final vote on the spending cuts in the coming weeks.
"We think that it's very clear that Jesus said we are to care for those who are hungry, and care for those who are without shelter or clothing," said David Allen, individual giving associate for Sojourners.
"The budget is being balanced on the backs of the poor and that is happening particularly in the version of the budget that was passed by the House of Representatives," he added. "They've done it primarily cutting social service programs, food stamps, child care and others like that, which are crucial for people. A week later they extended the tax cuts on capital gains. The only people who have that are pretty wealthy people who don't need the tax cut as much as lower income people."
As the kneel-in participants peacefully held signs reading "Budgets are moral documents" and "For poor people access denied," the more than two hour-long vigil came to an end with the arrests of all 114 people, according to Sojourners. The Capitol Police charged the people with incommoding for blocking the entrance to a public building – a law that carries a $50 "elect to forfeit" fine that can be paid, whereupon those arrested are released, according to Sergeant Kimberly O'Brien, Public Information Officer for the U.S. Capitol Police.
"This is a case of civil disobedience in blocking the House office building," said Allen. "We've been making different efforts throughout the year to speak truth to the Congress about demanding a budget that really reflects our values, particularly in caring for people whose voices are not often heard in congressional discussions."
After being transported on Metro buses to a Capitol Police warehouse facility on K Street, the religious leaders are expected to be released throughout the evening.
In addition to activities related to the National Week of Prayer and Action for Compassionate Priorities, advertisements through various mediums of media, including television, newspapers and billboards, are currently running to stop the budget cuts.
Francis Helguero contributed reporting from Washington for this article.
