WASHINGTON — Several people were arrested during an "unpermitted demonstration" near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon, the United States Park Police said.
According to USPP, the demonstrators gathered in the area of 3rd Street NW and Madison Drive. Videos obtained by WUSA9 show a group of people gathered near the Capitol, with several people standing on top of a parked trailer.
"You want to make change, this is how you do it," one man can be heard yelling in the video.
The demonstrators are part of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe in Northern California. Members of the tribe have been traveling on horseback for the last two months on a journey that started at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The tribe called the journey the "Trail of Truth." The goal of the journey was to demand their tribe be recognized by the Federal government's Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe was once made up of 30,000 people but the tribe says it now has about 600 living members, according to reporting from CBS.
USPP confirmed Tuesday evening that nine people were arrested and officers reportedly warned them three times to disperse. One of the people arrested Tuesday is accused of assaulting a police officer, while eight others were taken into custody for "interfering with agency function and disobeying a lawful order."
According to the National Park Service, the group was told the process of how to obtain a permit to comply with the law. The agency said it has been in talks with the group since Oct. 14.
"We repeatedly informed the group, as we would any group, of the process for obtaining a permit and outlined steps to comply with the law," NPS said in a release. "Permits are essential for the NPS to protect the public and our employees, manage events effectively, and preserve the iconic monuments, memorials, and natural areas in our parks."
NPS further added that the group has submitted a permit and NPS employees are reviewing the application.
"Over the past year, our employees, including US Park Police officers, have faced physical assaults during demonstrations," the agency said. "We are committed to providing appropriate and safe spaces for First Amendment activities while maintaining public safety and the highest standards of professionalism. We will not tolerate violence against visitors or our workforce, damage to park resources, or unlawful behavior."