Ashli Babbitt’s mother charged with refusing to move during Jan. 6 memorial for daughter

Ashli Babbitt’s mother was arrested Friday during a memorial for her daughter on the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Footage shared on social media showed Micki Witthoeft being apprehended by U.S. Capitol Police after they warned her and other bystanders to move to the sidewalk and stop obstructing traffic near the Capitol.

Witthoeft was charged with two Capitol traffic violations. One was for disobeying an order, and the other was for blocking and obstructing roadways. She was ultimately released with a citation to appear in court.

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“The group did not have a permit to demonstrate on Capitol Grounds. Officers established a clear police line to prevent the group from moving further west on Independence Avenue, SW. The officers and officials told the group to get out of the road or the group would be arrested. The sidewalk was open,” Capitol Police said in a statement.

“We’re not discussing it. Sidewalk now, or you’re under arrest,” an officer warned her, video of the encounter showed.

Witthoeft then turned her back to the officers and refused to move, so an officer grabbed her arms and detained her, the footage showed.

She had joined demonstrators Friday stationed between the Capitol and the federal courthouse, where Jan. 6 rioters have been prosecuted. Her daughter, Babbitt, 35, was fatally shot by a Capitol police officer during the chaos that consumed the Capitol and later was pronounced dead at a hospital.

A handful of other rioters subsequently died from heart attacks and other causes shortly after the attack. Additionally, at least three officers died after the riot ended, including officer Brian Sicknick.

Babbitt’s death has become a rallying cry for some avid supporters of former President Donald Trump. They have mourned her death and used it as a political cudgel against criticisms directed at Trump supporters for Jan. 6.

Multiple prominent conservatives, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who joined Witthoeft during the Jan. 6 anniversary in 2022, condemned her arrest.

“BLM almost burned down Washington DC and their charges were dropped, but if you are Ashli Babbit’s mother you get arrested for ‘jaywalking’ on the two year anniversary of your daughter’s murder. Enough of this,” she tweeted.

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Over 900 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol riot, including about 430 who have pleaded guilty to various crimes and just over 500 who have been sentenced, according to the Associated Press.