A police officer’s sense of timing seemed to illuminate the Rev William Barber’s moral mission with startling clarity.

During a prayer vigil on Monday in the Capitol rotunda, close to the very heart of US democracy, Barber was lamenting that Congress starts each day with its own prayers to the almighty even while preying on the poor. Capitol police captain, John Hersch, serendipitously choose that very moment to intervene.

“Your activity right now is taking the form of a demonstration,” Hersch told Barber and an accompanying gathering of clergy. “It is unlawful to demonstrate in the Capitol Rotunda. If you do not cease your demonstration at this time, there is a possibility you will be placed under arrest.”

Moments later, after two further warnings, Barber and seven accomplices – standing in front of the portrait of three 19th century women’s suffrage campaigners – were arrested as police sealed off the rotunda.

The arrests marked the climax of the latest Moral Monday protest organised by Repairers of the Breach, a group founded by Barber that’s trying to derail Donald Trump’s planned tax and spending bill on the grounds that it will slash vital health and social services to lower income Americans.

It was the third Moral Monday Barber had led at the Capitol since April – and the third time he and his cohorts had been arrested.

I’d have killed the anecdotal lede, as the story is just as strong with the first reference moved to graf 2. Not really the time for a bit of whimsy,