Police arrested about 60 veterans and military family members and protested outside the U.S. Capitol after collectively crossing the police line
A group of about 60 people were arrested outside the U.S. Capitol on Friday night, violating the bicycle frame of the police line and heading towards the steps leading to the Capitol Rotunda, according to Capitol police.
The group consists of veterans and military family members, plans to sit in the steps of the Capitol to protest President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard and active Marines in Los Angeles, as well as Saturday's military parade, Trump's 79th birthday.
A statement from the Capitol Police said about 75 protesters were protesting peacefully in the Supreme Court, just across the street from the U.S. Capitol. When the group left the area, officers began to build a perimeter of a bicycle rack to keep protesters away from the Capitol.
“Several people pushed the bike rack down and illegally crossed the police route while running towards the circular steps,” Capitol police said. “Our officers immediately stopped the group and began arresting.”
“Everyone will be charged with illegal demonstrations and crossing the police community. Additional charges for some include assault on police officers and resistance to arrest,” the police said.
The protests were organized by two advocacy groups – about veterans and veterans facing the war for peace. According to the organizer's press release, a brief sit-in followed the rally and press conference.
“We hope our future invests in veterans, health care and education, rather than spending $50 million on the march,” Brittany Ramos Debarros, the director of the Army Combat Veterans and Organization Case: Veterans Against the War, said in a statement.
The arrest comes as it celebrates its 250th birthday this summer, on the eve of one of the largest expected gatherings in Washington, D.C. On Saturday, thousands of people are expected to attend various activities around the Capitol and military parades, which cost an estimated cost of about $45 million and will feature soldiers, tanks, aircraft and other military equipment.
Protesters were detained after breaking through obstacles in Capitol Hill, Washington, DC on June 13, 2025. -Nathan Howard/Reuters
The U.S. Secret Service (U.S. Secret Service) will push down a similar fence from protesters near the Capitol on Friday night to keep the event safe, but will also be performed by thousands of officers, 18 miles of anti-lower fences, surveillance drones, counter snipers and many other safety features.
Matt McCool, a special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office, told CNN Secret Service and other federal partners were monitoring protests in Los Angeles and across the country, but said they had planned a massive protest on Saturday.
As of Friday night, agencies did not monitor any proactive threats to the march and surrounding activities.
This story and title have been updated with additional details.
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account on CNN.com
