George Clooney Arrested at Rally for Peace in Sudan, March 2012

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Credit: Enough/Lauren Clyne Medley

On March 16 protesters gathered at the Sudanese Embassy in Washington D.C. to call attention to the escalating humanitarian emergency in Sudan that is currently threatening the lives of 500,000 people.
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Credit: Enough/Daniel Herman

Protesters march along Massachusetts Avenue in Washington D.C. towards the Sudanese Embassy.
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Credit: Enough/Daniel Herman

The rally for peace in Sudan was attended by actor and activist George Clooney as well as former congressman Tom Andrews (D-ME), congressmen Jim McGovern (D-MA), Al Green (D-TX), Jim Moran (D-VA) and John Olver (D-MA); Martin Luther King III; Ben Jealous, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project.
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Credit: Enough/Sasha Lezhnev

"We are protesting to make sure the Sudanese government knows that the world is watching." - United States Congressman Jim McGovern, one of four U.S. congressmen who would eventually be placed under arrest at the rally.
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Credit: Enough/Lauren Clyne Medley

John Prendergast of the Enough Project addresses the crowd. After speaking on the steps of the embassy to hundreds of demonstrators, the congressmen and activists were asked by police to leave the scene.
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Credit: Enough/Sasha Lezhnev

Ignoring the authorities, George Clooney, the congressmen and others continued to protest, creating a blockade on the steps of the embassy, prompting police to place the actor and his co-demonstrators under arrest for civil disobedience.
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Credit: Enough/Sasha Lezhnev

George Clooney handcuffed at rally for peace in Sudan.
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Credit: Enough/Sasha Lezhnev

Nick Clooney, father of actor George Clooney, being handcuffed in front of the Sudanese Embassy.
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Credit: Enough/Sasha Lezhnev

John Prendergast handcuffed on the steps of the Sudanese Embassy.
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Credit: Enough/Sasha Lezhnev

Martin Luther King III handcuffed at the rally for peace in Sudan.
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Credit: Enough/Sasha Lezhnev

The demonstration, aimed at drawing attention to Sudan's humanitarian crisis, and the actions of the government in Khartoum, drew a substantial amount of media attention. The hashtag 'freeclooney' was trending worldwide on Twitter shortly after news of the arrests was reported.