05 Oct 2018 | 09:28 AM UTC
US: Mass arrests during Supreme Court protest in DC October 4 /update 1
Mass arrests during anti-Kavanaugh protest in Washington, DC, October 4; further protests expected in the country in the coming days
Event
More than 300 of the demonstrators who had marched in the capital Washington, DC, on Thursday, October 4, to protest the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court have been arrested. A related protest was held in New York City outside of Trump Tower.
Despite allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, the Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote on the nomination on Friday and a confirmation is possible as soon as Saturday. Further protests are thus likely in the coming days in DC, notably in the Capitol Hill area where the Supreme Court and Congress buildings are located, as well as in other cities across the country. A heightened security presence and traffic disruptions are to be anticipated in the vicinity of any demonstrations.
Context
Kavanaugh, nominated to the US Supreme Court by President Donald
Trump in July following the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, has
been accused of sexually assaulting multiple women in the 1980s during
his high school and college years. Democrats and women’s groups, among
others, have criticized the Senate leadership for not properly
investigating the accusations.
Advice
Individuals in the US are advised to avoid all protests as a precaution
and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.
