William Lawrence, a Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives in Michigan and co-founder of the progressive Sunrise Movement, was arrested in 2013 for resisting police during a protest against the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline. The resurfaced arrest comes as Lawrence challenges Republican Rep. Tom Barrett in a pivotal race for control of Congress.
Documents obtained by Fox News Digital show Lawrence was among a group that chained themselves to machinery during the demonstration against the pipeline, which transports crude oil and natural gas between Wisconsin and Ontario. Protesters at the time cited environmental concerns and the impact on indigenous lands. Lawrence and others were charged with trespassing and resisting/obstructing a police officer. They were cut from the equipment and arrested without incident.
Lawrence has since addressed the arrest on Instagram, stating he "took a stand" against Enbridge. He acknowledged that while the protest was "righteous," it may not have been "wise," adding that the pipeline resumed operations that same afternoon while his group faced legal consequences. He affirmed his commitment to protecting Michigan's environment.
In May 2020, Lawrence posted "Defund the Police!" on X, formerly Twitter, and in June 2020, he specifically called to defund the Lansing, Michigan police. His campaign has been contacted for comment regarding his arrest and past statements on police funding.
Lawrence, who defeated establishment-backed candidates Matt Maasdam and Bridget Brink in the primary, has stated he has left the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) as his general election campaign begins. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has sought to tie him to the far-left, with spokesman Zach Bannon calling Lawrence a "radical far-left liberal" whose "extreme climate agenda" is out of step with constituents' priorities.
Republicans are vying to maintain their House majority in an election cycle where the party in power typically faces losses. The NRCC views the progressive wing's influence within the Democratic Party as a potential avenue to counter historic trends. Lawrence's primary victory over Brink, who previously served as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, was seen as an upset.
