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Mayor Gray, Protesters Released After Arrests on Capitol Hill

By: Patrick Madden // April 12, 2011
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Council Member Yvette Alexander handcuffed at a protest over the federal budget deal April 11. Some of the protesters arrested alongside her have opted not to pay the fine and take the case to trial.
Patrick Madden
Council Member Yvette Alexander handcuffed at a protest over the federal budget deal April 11. Some of the protesters arrested alongside her have opted not to pay the fine and take the case to trial.

The protest began like countless others by District activists on Capitol Hill. Then, without any warning, Gray, several council members, and others walked into the middle of the street.

One by one they took a seat on the pavement, and after repeated warnings, Capitol Police started arresting people. They started with protesters, then picked off council members until there was essentially no one left but the mayor.

Gray and 40 others were hauled back to the Capitol Police station in Southwest D.C. where they were held for nearly six hours. They were later moved to Capitol Police headquarters for fingerprinting and eventual release.

Gray was released right around 1 a.m., according to a report on Twitter from Washington Post reporter Mike DeBonis.

It's still unclear what effect the protest will have on the final budget. Gray called the budget deal and it's effects on D.C. "hugely disappointing" during an interview on WAMU's Morning Edition Monday.

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