Arrests

If you haven't seen the footage, here are the arrests of non-violent women's rights demonstrators on the capitol steps in Richmond, Viriginia.  Police in full riot gear are brought in, and as peaceful protesters are removed from the steps they aren't even blocking, the crowd shouts "Shame! Shame!" and "Who are you protecting?  Who are you serving?"  and "This is what a police state looks like!"




More video footage here from the Richmond Times-Dispatch of the demonstration and arrests.  One demonstrator states in tears, "No one here had a weapon.  No one here tried to fight anybody.  Nobody pushed back.  Nobody interrupted the arrests.  And they come in riot gear.  Riot gear!  They have people with children and babies here.  I'm a Mom.  I'm a Sunday School Teacher.  Why are you standing in front of me, toe to toe, in riot gear?"

More extensive footage below that includes the march through the city.  At least a thousand march, chanting, "What do we want?  Women's rights!  When do we want it?  Now!"  and "This is what democracy looks like!" and "We are unstoppable!  Another world is possible!"  "Who's capitol?  Our capitol!  Whose state?  Our state!"  Protesters also boisterously chant "Mic Check!" and "Freedom of Assembly!" and loudly sing "We have come too far to turn around!"




33 protesters were reportedly arrested, with most left on a bus for 6 hours without access to water or bathrooms.  One man out of view of the camera shouts at the police, "How do you fucking sleep at night?  He [apparently referencing another demonstrator] defended your children!  He defended your children in a war!  And you carry them off!"