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George Clooney Arrested During Sudan Protest in DC

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on March 16, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

George Clooney was arrested outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington, D.C. this morning. The actor turned activist was participating in a protest against the country's government.

Just before the arrest, the star told attendees that "we need immediate humanitarian aid into Sudan before it becomes the worst humanitarian crisis in the world." The Sudanese government has been accused of killing citizens and blocking supplies from starving regions.

As evidenced by video of the protest, officers gave Clooney and his fellow protestors a "third and final warning" to move:

If you're going to be arrested in an act of civil disobedience, you should channel George Clooney as shown in this video. The actor's main concern is his safety and that of others. He doesn't fight the arresting officers, but instead walks calmly and follows directions. He encourages others to settle down.

Sure, the situation is probably a bit different when George Clooney is arrested, but such behavior can still work to your benefit. First, you won't find yourself charged with resisting arrest if you act like Clooney. And second, arresting officers may attest to the fact that you and others at the protest went calmly. That says a lot to the judge and prosecutor handling the case.

And remember, George Clooney was arrested peacefully and was still able to make his point. Complying with arresting officers doesn't make your act of civil disobedience any less forceful. Your job is to ignore requests to disperse -- not incite a riot or physically fight police.

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