On Tuesday October, 19, 2021, actress Alyssa Milano was protesting outside the White House in Washington D.C. The actress was one of 23 people who were arrested. She announced her arrest on Twitter, and she seems to feel it was worth it.

I was just arrested for demanding the Biden Administration and the Senate to use their mandate to protect voting rights. Stand with me and @peoplefor and tell the Senate and White House that voting rights shouldn’t depend on where you live. #DontMuteOurVote

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 19, 2021

Milano was advocating for the Freedom to Vote Act which was voted on and rejected by the Senate the following day.

In a statement, Milano quoted late Representative John Lewis. She explained, “John Lewis told us, ‘The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.’ States across the country are trying to take it away from so many people in a cynical power grab. We can’t let them.” She continued, “We need federal law right now to protect voting rights for all Americans, no matter which state they happen to live in. It’s a cause that’s worth getting arrested for.”

Among the group of people that were arrested was Ben Jealous, the president of People for the American Way. His arrest was also announced on Twitter.

BREAKING: A statement from Ben Jealous prior to his arrest:“We came back to the White House to deliver a clear message to President Biden: we need actions that match the urgency of his words on voting rights – and time is running out.

— Ben Jealous (@BenJealous) October 19, 2021

 

People on Twitter seem to have mixed feelings about Milano’s stance on the Freedom to Vote Act. Some support her.

We always meet change with adversity, especially when it comes to Washington! Thankyou Alyssa for the Courage to make change even at a cost..We should all go and stand side to side and make our demands…

— deedee simmons (@simmons_deedee) October 20, 2021

I cannot believe you were arrested for supporting the Freedom to Vote act. I read up on it and shared some highlights on a Facebook comment only to be met with hate comments. Thank you for your courage.

— Rob Ramos (@robramosdesign) October 20, 2021

Others think she’s out of touch.

I don’t know what world @Alyssa_Milano lives in but even in inner city Miami in DeSantis territory people have multiple options to vote, including absentee, early voting at any precinct and election days where polls are open late. And Yes, we require ID.

— Clancy Gaughan (@ClancyGaughan) October 20, 2021

Does it surprise you that Milano was arrested? Do you think it’s currently harder to vote in some areas of the country than in other areas of the country?