80 arrested in US for protesting healthcare reform

US Capitol police have arrested 80 protesters who were demonstrating against the proposed Republican healthcare bill.

The police in a statement said officers responded to 13 locations in office buildings on both sides of the Congress on Monday and arrested 21 persons in the House office buildings and 59 in the Senate office buildings, the Washington Post reported.

Twitter feeds showed videos and images of cuffed and flanked protesters as some yelled through the hallways in protest of the bill.

"After officers arrived at the numerous scenes, they warned the demonstrators to cease and desist with their unlawful demonstration activities," the statement said. "Those who refused to cease and desist were placed under arrest."

Those arrested were charged with "crowding, obstructing or incommoding", the police said.

The demonstrators took to the Capitol to protest against the Republican plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

The protest came as lawmakers return from the July 4 recess. Senate Republicans before the holiday had postponed a vote on their healthcare overhaul.

An ObamaCare repeal-and-replace bill has already been passed by the House.

Late last month, Capitol police arrested 40 individuals protesting the Senate GOP's plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare, the Hill magazine reported.

--IANS

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