Hundreds Arrested In Capitol Hill Protests

The activists - who are demanding Congress "end the corruption of big money in our politics" - plan to hold rallies all week.

Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) (C) is arrested by Capitol Hill

More than 400 people were arrested at Capitol Hill in Washington DC on Monday during demonstrations against the role of big money in politics.

The mostly peaceful rally was part of a series of Democracy Spring protests planned in the nation's capital this week by a coalition of groups.

US Capitol Police said they had made arrests for "unlawful demonstration activity" such as crowding and obstruction.

A number of protesters sat on the steps of the Capitol and refused to move.

Police led dozens of activists away in plastic handcuffs into a bus and shuttle vans, prompting cheers from the onlookers.

Democracy Spring said on its website the event was held "to demand Congress take immediate action to end the corruption of big money in our politics and ensure free and fair elections".

The activists, many of whom have marched from Philadelphia to Washington over the past week, have vowed to repeat the demonstration every day for a week.

The protesters also targeted state voter identity laws, saying they suppress electoral turnout, especially among Democratic-leaning minorities and young people.

The activists held aloft an effigy of a corporate lobbyist holding money bags and a sign reading: "Warning: Massive civil disobedience is next."

Peter Callahan, Democracy Spring's communications co-ordinator, said: "We see populism on the rise on both sides of the spectrum.

"Americans are sick and tired of their politicians being bought and paid for."

The activists also railed against conservative billionaire businessmen David and Charles Koch, who are organising an almost $900m funding campaign for November's general election.

Democracy Spring lists actor Mark Ruffalo and academic Noam Chomsky among its supporters.