D.C. mayor arrested at protest near Capitol

Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray has been arrested after joining protestors who closed part of Constitution Avenue across from the Senate Hart Office Building.

Some 200-300 protesters gathered Monday in protest of the federal budget, which blocks the city from using local funds on abortion procedures.

Capitol Police also arrested City Council Member Muriel Bowser and City Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown and about 15 other protestors.

The arrests have been civil. Officers have been heard asking those sitting in the street if they'd like to be arrested. Those that agree are helped to their feet and placed under arrest.

Protestors are chanting "Free D.C." and "We can't take it no more!"

Capitol Police responded to a query from POLITICO saying they are monitoring the situation.

The protest is in the wake of the House Republican budget, which prohibits D.C. from using government funds to subsidize abortion.

-- Jake Sherman contributed to this report.