22 protesters arrested during Kavanaugh hearing

Twenty-two people were arrested Tuesday morning after they protested Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing, U.S. Capitol Police said.

Protesters urged senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote against Kavanaugh’s confirmation and to adjourn Tuesday’s hearing.

Protesters interrupt the #KavanaughConfirmation hearings pic.twitter.com/Qaeyo2o0m4

— Lydia Wheeler (@WheelerLydia) September 4, 2018

“Senators, we demand you vote no,” one protester yelled.

Another urged senators to “be a hero and cancel this year.”

“This should be an impeachment proceeding and not a confirmation hearing,” another said.

VIDEO: Protesters arrested in the hearing room for Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing asking the hearing to end. pic.twitter.com/ZCTcuwq7qZ

— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) September 4, 2018

{mosads}The women’s rights group UltraViolet confirmed that its executive director and co-founder, Shaunna Thomas, was among those arrested on Tuesday.

The group argues that Kavanaugh would be the deciding vote to gut Roe v. Wade and criminalize abortion if confirmed.

“Senators, on behalf of the millions of women across the country whose rights will be stripped by a Kavanaugh court, I demand you reject this nomination,” Thomas said during the hearing.

The actress Piper Perabo was also arrested.

I was just arrested for civil disobedience in the Kavanaugh hearings.

Many citizens before me have fought for the equal rights of women. I can’t be silent when someone is nominated to the Supreme Court who would take our equal rights away.#StopKavanaghpic.twitter.com/f3SG7gmVam

— Piper Perabo (@PiperPerabo) September 4, 2018

The protesters were charged with disorderly conduct, according to a Capitol Police spokeswoman, who said that an update would be provided at the end of the day. 

Democrats on the Senate panel also attempted to have Tuesday’s hearing adjourned over documents related to Kavanaugh that they say they haven’t had sufficient time to review.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) ultimately denied the move to adjourn.

“Senators have had more than enough time … to adequately assess Judge Kavanaugh’s qualifications,” he said.

–Jordain Carney contributed to this report, which was updated at 2:23 p.m.