The U.S. Park Police is investigating whether its officers were too aggressive in arresting five demonstrators who were dancing in protest over the weekend at the Jefferson Memorial.



Five dancing protesters were arrested on Saturday afternoon. (File photo: Tracy A. Woodward/The Washington Post)

The protesters were challenging a recent federal appeals court decision that upheld a ban on dancing inside the memorial.

Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser said Monday that concerns have been raised about the actions of some of the officers, and the chief has directed the Office of Professional Responsibility to conduct an investigation. Schlosser says the protesters were arrested for demonstrating without a permit.