Schakowsky arrested at immigration rally

The Daily Herald

October 8, 2013

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131008/news/710089721/

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Evanston Democrat, was arrested Tuesday for blocking a street near the National Mall at an immigration reform rally in Washington, her spokeswoman said.

Schakowsky was with other demonstrators as part of a civil disobedience effort calling for immigration reform, spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.

Schakowsky's 9th Congressional district includes portions of Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, and Northbrook.

A U.S. Capitol Police spokesman said the charge is "crowding, obstructing, and incommoding."

At least seven other members of Congress were arrested, too, including U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Chicago Democrat.

Singh said Schakowsky was processed and was released before 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Schakowsky's wrists were tied as she was being taken away, Singh said.

Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House have been pushing an immigration reform plan that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

But the issue hasn't always been front-and-center in Congress in the past few weeks as lawmakers have grappled over a government shutdown and the question of military action in Syria.