More details have emerged on actress and activist Alyssa Milano’s arrest in DC.
Milano tweeted Monday “I was just arrested for demanding the Biden Administration and the Senate to use their mandate to protect voting rights. Stand with me and @peoplefor and tell the Senate and White House that voting rights shouldn’t depend on where you live. #DontMuteOurVote”
Prior to being arrested Milano warned “I’m about to risk arrest for voting rights.”
Pastor Charles Williams also shared a photo with Milano after their arrest.
@Alyssa_Milano and I got arrested today to send a clear cut message pass #votingrightsnow and #endthefilibuster we fight until we win @NationalAction #NoJusticeNoPeace #goodtrouble pic.twitter.com/z73Ev1CrTu
— Charles Williams II (@therevcw) October 19, 2021
These 25 brave patriots, including @BenJealous and @Alyssa_Milano, were just arrested outside the White House in nonviolent protest for voting rights.
They are calling on President Biden to use his full power to fight for filibuster reform and pass the Freedom to Vote Act now. pic.twitter.com/xXXeXtIuLD
— Kai Newkirk #EndTheFilibuster (@kai_newkirk) October 19, 2021
Milano explained why she was risking arrest in an interview prior to the protest.
NOW: People For Board Member @alyssa_milano explains why she's risking arrest today in the fight for voting rights. The protest is starting how – tune in to help us tell President Biden: no more excuses. #VotingRIghtsNOW! https://t.co/NX8G31ldCN pic.twitter.com/PBOQsZ5iOE
— People For the American Way (@peoplefor) October 19, 2021
Happening now: 25 brave activists are risking arrest for voting rights. #VotingRightsNow @peoplefor @DFADCoalition @Alyssa_Milano @jamalhbryant @KaseVirginia @JanaLMorgan @BenJealous and many more! pic.twitter.com/V881ZEPJxo
— League of Women Voters of the US (@LWV) October 19, 2021
Milano said in a statement before her arrest “John Lewis told us, ‘The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.’ States across the country are trying to take it away from so many people in a cynical power grab. We can’t let them.”
“We need federal law right now to protect voting rights for all Americans, no matter which state they happen to live in. It’s a cause that’s worth getting arrested for,” she added.
Ben Jealous, who was arrested along with Milano said “We came back to the White House to deliver a clear message to President Biden: we need actions that match the urgency of his words on voting rights – and time is running out.”