Supreme Court Police arrested a dozen Occupy protesters Friday afternoon after they destroyed a police barrier, pushed past a police line and sprinted up the steps of the high court – all in violation of federal law.
The group was originally at the Supreme Court to protest against the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, which the Supreme Court handed down two years ago Friday. That decision made it possible for corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns, as long as they don't contribute directly to candidates or coordinate with them.
The protest was organized by the advocacy group Move to Amend, which advocates for a Constitutional amendment that would strike down the Citizens United decision.
After a short rally across the street, protesters moved to the Supreme Court building, where police had set up metal barricades.
Protesters pulled the barricades back and jumped on them, and, after a half-hour standoff, pushed past the police and ran up the steps. About 50 to 60 Occupiers cheered and shouted slogans from the steps until police moved in and a scuffle ensued. Several protesters sat on the steps and refused to move; they were arrested as police formed a line across the steps.
Eventually police pushed protesters back to the sidewalk and put up additional barriers.
Eleven protesters were arrested outside; one was arrested inside the building itself. A Supreme Court spokeswoman did not immediately have details of the charges.
It's the second time this week that protesters have taken the steps of the Supreme Court. At Tuesday's Occupy Congress protest, more than 1,500 protesters ran up the steps past a handful of police officers who made no attempt to stop them.
