Protesters arrested in Capitol Hill sit-in

WASHINGTON, April 12 (UPI) -- More than 400 protesters were arrested during a sit-in on the U.S. Capitol steps Monday, as they protested congressional inaction on money's influence in politics.

Capitol police said the protesters were arrested for "unlawful demonstration activity" and will be charged with "crowding, obstructing and incommoding." The demonstrations are expected to take place all week.

Members of the "Democracy Spring" campaign -- a collection of more than 100 liberal groups -- began marching the 150 miles from Philadelphia to Washington, D. C. April 2. The demonstrations are designed to "draw attention to our corrupt campaign finance system and rigged voting laws," said the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

The group is demanding new legislation that would reduce "the influence of money in politics" while seeking to "expand and protect voting rights."

A total of about 600 protesters gathered at the steps, before the 400 were arrested. Protesters sang and chanted and took pictures in front of the police, who blocked the marble staircase while taking the protesters away