With the current Government Shutdown happening in Washington, D.C., many protests have occurred on The National Mall. Today, outside of the Capitol Building in Washington, an Immigration Reform protest formed, and eight Democrat lawmakers from various states were arrested at the protest.

According to NBC News, the eight Democrats who were arrested were: John Lewis (Georgia), Luis Gutierrez (Illinois), Charlie Rangel (New York), Raul Grijalva (Arizona), Joe Crowley (New York), Jan Schakowsky (Illinois), Keith Ellison (Minnesota), and Al Green (Texas). All of these House Democrats (along with other activists) attended the protest as a “sit-in” near the Capitol’s west side.

The eight lawmakers listed above were arrested due to “crowding, obstructing, and incommoding” (Source: CBS News). As they were arrested, the lawmakers did not resist nor retaliate; however, they were rather calm and collected, because it was certain that they were expecting to be arrested for what they were doing and what they were standing for, which was “to push Congress to pass broad immigration legislation that includes a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally.” (Source: NY Times).

With their arrests, many of the lawmakers turned to Twitter:

Arrest number 45, protesting in support of comprehensive immigration reform pic.twitter.com/b6ngK1LJxM

— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) October 8, 2013

Photos from #CaminoAmericano today in #DC. I marched for #CIR and was arrested to win freedom for those who have none.http://t.co/SY6HeIT4JE

— Luis V. Gutierrez (@LuisGutierrez) October 9, 2013

My colleagues and I are not afraid to get arrested for what we believe is important to move America forward… https://t.co/Mas22yWyfU

— Charles Rangel (@cbrangel) October 8, 2013

Marching w/ my colleagues & advocates calling for action on comprehensive immigration reform #timeisnow #CIR pic.twitter.com/alSBrUi8gU

— Rep. Joe Crowley (@repjoecrowley) October 8, 2013

Its time to pass immigration reform #TimeIsNow pic.twitter.com/xi2hr6QPV4

— Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) October 8, 2013

PHOTO: I was arrested this afternoon protesting in support of comprehensive immigration reform. pic.twitter.com/ALr7VEkI0R

— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) October 8, 2013

[Image source: Vine]