‘Let My People Stay’

Rabbis Arrested as Jewish Activists Protest for DACA on Capitol Hill

Dozens detained in the Russell Senate Office Building.

Dozens of rabbis and protestors from various Jewish groups were arrested Wednesday by Capitol Hill police officers after protesting “to protect Dreamers from deportation” at the Russell Senate Office Building. The protesters, which included members of the Anti-Defamation League, Bend the Arc, and Religious Action Center of the Reform, sat on the floor of the Russell rotunda and chanted “We will not be moved” and “Let my people stay.” They also presented members of Congress with a petition signed by over 5,000 people urging for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program action. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) reportedly stopped by the protest to express support. According to Haaretz, most of those who were arrested are being released. This protest comes as DACA hangs in the balance, with Democrats struggling whether to face a government shutdown or get a clean DACA bill from a Republican majority.