Shakeeb Asrar

USA TODAY

A mass demonstration and weeklong sit-in at the U.S. Capitol will expand to the states to disrupt election campaigns and political fundraisers, leaders of the "Democracy Spring" group said Tuesday.

The protest, which ended Monday, decried the influence of money in politics and restrictions on voting rights. The demonstrations led to hundreds of arrests on charges of crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, which is unlawful demonstration activity.

Among those arrested were actress Rosario Dawson, Ben and Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, NAACP President Cornell Brooks and Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig. Capitol Police processed and released the demonstrators on the spot.

Eva Malecki, acting communications director for the U.S. Capitol Police, said about 1,240 arrests were made over the course of the demonstrations. The protesters were “orderly and respectful," she said.

"Democracy Spring" plans to ask all candidates running for government positions, from president to the city council, to sign "Equal Voice for All" declaration, asking, among other things, to overturn Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision and restore protections against voter discrimination previously afforded under the Voting Rights Act. Those who sign the statement will receive support from the group. Protesters plan to disrupt campaign and fundraising events of candidates who oppose it.

More than 900 'Democracy Spring' protesters arrested in D.C. - so far

“We gave new life to a democracy movement that cannot be stopped,” said Kai Newkirk, a lead organizer of the protests, which began with a 140-mile, 10-day march from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. “Yet despite this unprecedented call to action, the congressional leadership did nothing. Now we will take the battle into their offices in D.C., their home districts and to their fundraisers, to the party conventions and beyond.”

Residents from several states joined the protests in Washington, Newkirk said, showing it's an issue all Americans care about.

“(People) are carrying the inspiration and commitment and determination that was born at the Capitol and in the march,” Newkirk said. “(They are) taking that home and are going to continue to build and take this movement to the next level.”

The group plans additional demonstrations within the next few weeks, including other sit-ins and protests, Newkirk said.