Capitol Police Arrest Pastor During Prayer Protest

Rev. William Barber was arrested Monday in the Capitol Rotunda while leading a prayer protest against Republican budget cuts.

He and two others were charged with “crowding, obstructing, and incommoding” by the Capitol Police.

Newsweek has contacted Barber’s group, Repairers of the Breach, via email, for comment.

Why It Matters

Barber is a North Carolina progressive activist known for his Moral Monday movement—weekly sessions of civil disobedience in a “moral critique” of state policies.

His arrest has intensified the national debate on religious expression and protest rights in government spaces.

The incident comes just days after President Donald Trump’s task force on anti-Christian bias had its first meeting on April 22.

Newsweek has contacted Attorney General Pam Bondi, who chairs the group, via the Florida Attorney General’s Communications Office, for comment.

What To Know

Barber was arrested alongside Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Steve Swayne, director of St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, in the Capitol Rotunda on April 28, according to the Religious News Service (RNS).

The Capitol Police told Newsweek: “They 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. That is when we gave them multiple warnings to stop or they would be arrested. Three people didn’t stop.

“The charge is 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding. There are other spots on Capitol grounds where this type of demonstrating is allowed.”

The group’s protest was aimed at highlighting severe budget cuts feared to jeopardize programs such as Medicaid and Social Security. The three men frequently chanted “Against the conspiracy of cruelty, we plead the power of your mercy,” RNS reported.

“To think that we went in to pray against the budget, but to pray nonetheless—and the order now is that, evidently, if you pray, you are seen as violating the rules of the Rotunda,” Barber said.

Barber has previously delivered sermons on the Capitol steps and addressed a Moral Monday gathering at the Supreme Court.

What People Are Saying

Rev. William Barber told RNS: “To think that we went in to pray against the budget, but to pray nonetheless—and the order now is that, evidently, if you pray, you are seen as violating the rules of the Rotunda … What we hope is that folks will see this and it will begin to remove some of the fear, and people will understand that this is the time—now—that we must engage in nonviolent direct action to register our discontent.”

Barber’s group, Repairers of the Breach said in a statement: “Bishop Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove were among those arrested this afternoon while praying in front of a statue that honors suffragettes in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

“The arrests occurred after an interfaith gathering of leaders from across the nation delivered a moral message to the nation this morning at the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to sound the alarm on the immoral budget cuts and proposed budget cuts being pursued in Washington D.C. at the expense of the poor, working people, children, women, and families.”

A U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson said: “They 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. That is when we gave them multiple warnings to stop or they would be arrested. The[y] didn’t stop.”

What Happens Next

Barber told RNS he intends to continue demonstrating in the weeks ahead.