US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among a group of prominent Democratic Party members to be arrested at a pro-choice abortion rally on Wednesday.
The group, which also contained Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush, joined a protest in front of the supreme court in the aftermath of Roe v Wade being overturned. They sat down in the middle of the street in an act of peaceful disobedience.
Ms Ocasio-Cortez was shown being led away by police, allegedly for blocking traffic in the Capitol.
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar was also among those arrested. Her team wrote on Twitter: “Today, Congresswoman Escobar was arrested in front of the Supreme Court for proudly standing in defense of abortion access and reproductive freedom. Our rights are on the line. #BansOffOurBodies.”
Carolyn Maloney, a fellow Democrat from New York, who was also arrested, said: “I have the privilege of representing a state where reproductive rights are respected and protected – the least I can do is put my body on the line for the 33 million women at risk of losing their rights.”
Capitol Police wrote on Twitter that 35 had been arrested for crowding, obstructing or incommoding, including 17 members of congress.
“It is against the law to block traffic, so officers are going to give our standard three warnings before they start making arrests,” the statement read.
Ms Ocasio-Cortez was filmed with her hands behind her back, which Republican senator Ted Cruz interpreted to mean she was pretending to wear handcuffs - although the Democrat did at one point punch the air, showing she was not cuffed.
“This is weird. Who the hell PRETENDS to be in handcuffs when they’re not?” Mr Cruz wrote on Twitter.
The 1973 Roe v Wade ruling effectively allowed women a right to abortion in many circumstances. However, the supreme court last month overturned the constitutional amendment - giving states the power to ban the procedure, prompting celebrations and mass protests across America.
Twelve states have now banned abortions while the procedure could be banned in around 15 other states . Around 20 states are set to allow abortions to continue.
US President Joe Biden stepped in last week when an Ohio man was charged with raping a 10-year-old girl who had to travel to a neighboring state for an abortion.
