Protests At Congressional Offices Over GOP Health Care Bill Lead To 80 Arrests

The typically hushed corridors of the Russell Senate Building echoed with noise Monday as protesters, upset by the Senate Republicans’ health care bill, descended on lawmakers’ offices to let their displeasure be known ― part of several such demonstrations around the U.S. Capitol.

An initial crowd estimated at around 100 protesters split into smaller groups once inside the building, with each subgroup seeking out the offices of specific senators, some of whom are positioned to cast critical swing votes on the legislation.

Capitol Police said in a statement they responded to 13 locations in Senate and House office buildings and as of late Monday afternoon had made 80 arrests. The officers “warned the demonstrators to cease and desist with their unlawful demonstration activities,” according to the statement, and those who did not were charged under a law prohibiting “crowding, obstructing, or incommoding.”

A group of around 20 protesters visited the office of Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) in the Russell building, where they proceeded to enter and chant against what their signs termed “Trumpcare.” Ten later sat on the floor outside Flake’s office, where they chanted “Kill the bill” and “Flake, where are you?”

Protesters also decamped to the offices of Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) where they chanted “Health care is a human right” and “Vote no on this bill,” among other slogans.

At one point, concurrent protests were taking place across three floors of the building.

A group of activists also traveled to the office of House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

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This story has been updated with the arrests reported by the U.S. Capitol Police.

Also on HuffPost

Demonstrators are arrested by U.S. Capitol police while protesting against Republican health care reform legislation outside the offices of Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.
Demonstrators are arrested by U.S. Capitol police while protesting against Republican health care reform legislation outside the offices of Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.
Samantha Coronado of Tucson, Arizona, and fellow demonstrators are arrested after protesting outside the offices of Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.).
Samantha Coronado of Tucson, Arizona, and fellow demonstrators are arrested after protesting outside the offices of Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.).
 Demonstrators are lead away in handcuffs.
 Demonstrators are lead away in handcuffs.
Capitol Police officers arrest a protester.
Capitol Police officers arrest a protester.
A demonstrator is carried away.
A demonstrator is carried away.
A healthcare activist holds up a sign while she and others occupy the office of Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) to protest the Republican health care bill at the U.S. Capitol on July 10, 2017.
A healthcare activist holds up a sign while she and others occupy the office of Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) to protest the Republican health care bill at the U.S. Capitol on July 10, 2017.
Health care activists protest to stop the Republican health care bill at Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.
Health care activists protest to stop the Republican health care bill at Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.
Health care activists are detained after the protest.
Health care activists are detained after the protest.
A health care activist holds up a sign.
A health care activist holds up a sign.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.