Rev. William Barber, a longtime civil rights leader and anti-poverty activist, was arrested Monday in the U.S. Capitol during a peaceful prayer protest against the Republican-led budget.
Barber was speaking out against proposed GOP spending cuts that could strip millions of poor and working-class Americans of healthcare, food aid, and other vital services. Capitol Police moved in as he was leading a vigil inside the Capitol rotunda.
“Your activity right now is taking the form of a demonstration,” said Capitol Police Captain John Hersch. “It is unlawful to demonstrate in the Capitol Rotunda. If you do not cease your demonstration at this time, there is a possibility you will be placed under arrest.”
Minutes later, Barber and seven others were cuffed in front of a painting honoring women’s suffrage pioneers.
The arrests came at the end of the latest Moral Monday, a series of protests organized by Barber’s group, Repairers of the Breach. He’s trying to stop a Republican budget that he says “will slash vital health and social services to lower income Americans.” It was his third protest at the Capitol since April — and his third arrest.
Earlier that day, Barber led a march to the Supreme Court with about 2,000 people. Protesters carried signs like “Don’t cut SNAP for 40 million poor people” and “Slashing the safety net is moral murder.” A gospel band played nearby. Barber wore a white robe with the words Jesus was a poor man.
He attacked the Republican bill — narrowly passed in the House, 215 to 214 — saying it could cause 13.7 million people to lose Medicaid and health insurance.
“This bill represents the worst kind of evil, which is the love of money … the root of all evil,” Barber said. “This isn’t just about Trump. Two hundred and fifteen Republicans in the House voted for this bill – and now every senator is going to decide whether they’re going to vote for the ‘we’re all going to just die’ approach to politics.”
He was referring to Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who, when warned about people dying from healthcare cuts, replied: “We’re all going to die.” She later filmed a mock apology in a cemetery, saying, “For those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.”
Barber didn’t hold back. “That’s the same language that slave masters used to tell slaves,” he said. “They would say: ‘Don’t fight for freedom, but believe in Jesus so that in the eternal life …’ It’s so cynical. What she said was one of the most contradictory misinterpretations of faith I’ve ever heard. It’s theological malpractice.”
He added: “If Jesus did anything, he provided everybody he met free healthcare. He never charged a leper, or a sick person, or a blind person, for their healing.”
Barber began Moral Mondays in 2013 in North Carolina to protest far-right policies. The movement led to thousands of arrests — and thousands more registered to vote.
Now, he says, this is about more than just one budget.
“Moral Monday is not a one-time event,” Barber said. “If this budget passes the way it is, it will have a negative impact on this country for 10 years. It could possibly not be fully reversed for up to 50 to 60 years. This is serious business.”
Barber says the movement will also push back on attacks against voting rights, public education, and healthcare.
“Poor and low wage people now represent 30% of the electorate in this country, and in battleground states, over 40%,” he said.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of the Indivisible movement, also spoke at the rally. “People see us organized, and they say, wow, you are fearless,” Levin said. “Oh no. If you are fearless in this moment, you’re not paying attention.”
He said the GOP may look confident, but they’re scared.
“They’re terrified their voters are going to see what they’re doing. They’re terrified they’re going to lose their majority. And you know what? They should be terrified.”
