What to Know
- Two women who were part of the Overdose at Rep. Andy Harris’ Offices protest tried to push their way into his office after noon Tuesday.
- A spokeswoman for Harris said his wrist was bruised.
- Officers then arrested the women for lighting joints in the Longworth House Office Building, Capitol Police said.
Two marijuana advocates were arrested for lighting up inside the Longworth House Office Building Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Capitol Police said.
DC Marijuana Justice (DCMJ) and Maryland Marijuana Justice (MDMJ) organized the Overdose at Rep. Andy Harris’ Offices protest at "high noon" Tuesday.
Protesters carried signs saying "Andy Harris works for BIG PHARMA" and said they have been seeking a meeting with the Republican from Maryland's 1st congressional district about legalizing marijuana as an alternative to opioids for treating pain.
When Harris entered his office through a private door, Kristin Furnish, 28, of Salisbury, Maryland, and Rachel Ramon Donlan, 46, of D.C., tried to push their way in behind him, video streamed via Periscope by DCMJ founder Adam Eidinger shows.
Harris' wrist was bruised as they tried to push the door open, a spokeswoman for the congressman said.
"As Rep. Steve Scalise understands all too well and tweeted today — 'Assaulting anyone because you disagree with them is NEVER acceptable,'" Harris said in a statement.
The protesters then tried to enter through another door, with Donlan sticking her foot in the door to briefly hold it open.
Responding officers observed them lighting joints in the hallway outside Harris' office, Capitol Police said.
Donlan and Furnish are charged with consumption of marijuana in a prohibited public space.
Harris worked to block decriminalization of marijuana in 2014.
He released this statement following the protest:
"Today's aggression by protesters who disagree with my position on the legalization of recreational marijuana demonstrates the problem with political discourse today. We all must agree to have a civilized debate when disagreement occurs. My parents fled communist Eastern Europe where people with different political opinions were harassed and punished, and it has no place in America. I reject the recent comments of one of my House colleagues who encouraged harassment of political opponents, saying 'You get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere.' As Rep. Steve Scalise understands all too well and tweeted today — 'Assaulting anyone because you disagree with them is NEVER acceptable.'"
