Rev. Barber, Others Arrested For Praying In Capitol Rotunda

By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide

On April 28, the Rev. Dr. William Barber II, a North Carolina-based pastor, national anti-poverty activist and Yale professor, was arrested with two more clergy members for praying in the Capitol Rotunda, in the U.S. Capitol.

On April 29, a public information officer for the Capitol Police told the Charlotte Observer via email that Barber and the other clergy members were arrested “for demonstrating inside the Congressional Buildings,” which is not allowed in any form, to include but not limited to sitting, kneeling, group praying, singing, chanting, etc. “In this case they started praying quietly and then began to pray out loud,” the spokesperson said. “That is when we gave them multiple warnings to stop or they would be arrested. Three people didn’t stop.”

A three-minute video posted online by Repairers of the Breach, which Barber heads, showed Barber assembled with about 30 people including the Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, a writer, preacher and assistant director at Yale University’s Center for Public Theology and Public Policy, and Steve Swayne, director of St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville. According to news reports, Barber, Hartgrove, and Swayne were arrested on a charge of “crowding, obstructing and incommoding.”

To resolve the charges, the spokesperson said, “Basically they just have to pay a ticket.” Barber said he and the others don’t plan to contest the charges and will pay the fine.

Barber told reporters that he was praying for God to bring justice for the millions of people who will be negatively impacted by the new budget.