N.Y. House Democrats including AOC, Carolyn Maloney and Nydia Velazquez arrested in abortion protest outside Supreme Court

More than a dozen House Democrats including New York Democrats Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Nydia Velazquez and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were arrested Tuesday in a pro-choice protest blocking the streets outside the Supreme Court.

The three lawmakers were among a group of seventeen members of Congress who were taken away by police in the civil disobedience action against the top court’s recent decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is detained after participating in a sit in with activists from Center for Popular Democracy Action (CPDA) in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building on July 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/)

“This is the time to stand up, speak out, and not shy away when seeking justice and equality,” Maloney tweeted.

“It’s time for some good trouble. We won’t go back,” Velazquez said.

Among those arrested were Reps. Jackie Speier and Barbara Lee of California, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri and Veronica Escobar of Texas.

Pressley spokesperson Ricardo A. Sánchez told NBC News the congresswoman had “joined her colleagues and grassroots advocates for a non-violent civil disobedience to protest the Supreme Court’s cruel and callous decision.”

“She, along with several of her colleagues, was arrested as part of the peaceful demonstration and is currently in custody of the U.S. Capitol Police,” Sánchez said.

Explainer: What does the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe V. Wade mean for New York

House Oversight Chair Maloney said, “I have the privilege of representing a state where reproductive rights are respected and protected — the least I can do is put my body on the line for the 33 million women at risk of losing their rights.”

Earlier this month, the House voted to restore abortion rights nationwide in Democrats’ first legislative response to the Supreme Court’s landmark decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

The bill has little chance of becoming law, with the necessary support lacking in the 50-50 Senate. Yet voting marks the beginning of a new era in the debate as lawmakers, governors and legislatures grapple with the impact of the court’s decision.

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) (Center) leads House Democrats to join an abortion rights protest with the Center for Popular Democracy Action (CPDA) in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building on July 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/)

“The Supreme Court took a wrecking ball to the fundamental rights by overturning Roe v. Wade,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week, gathering with other Democratic women on the steps of the Capitol. “It is outrageous that 50 years later, women must again fight for our most basic rights against an extremist court.”