Democrat staffers arrested over climate change protest inside Senate leader Schumer’s office

Six Democrat staffers were arrested Monday following a staged protest inside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Capitol Hill office. 

Seventeen staffers in total participated in the demonstration, including those from the offices of Democrat Reps. Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna. 

The group demanded that the Schumer, a New York Democrat, reopen climate negotiations with fellow Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin, who shot down his own party’s plans to pass climate action through the budget process. 

In response, Schumer’s office called the U.S. Capitol Police force, and the six staffers remaining in his office were arrested. 

Among the arrested protesters was Congressional Workers Union President Philip Bennet. 

When asked by a reporter why they chose Schumer’s office instead of Manchin’s, Bennett replied “there’s always going to be a sheep that strays away from the herd,” as he was escorted out of the building in handcuffs.