The nation’s first Muslim U.S. Representative, Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) was among eight members of the House arrested during an immigration rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

As park rangers hold senior citizens hostage at Yellowstone National Park and World War II veterans are threatened with arrest for trying to visit their memorial, it is telling that a pro-amnesty event was permitted on federally owned land. Still, when Democrat protesters began blocking traffic, authorities took the disruptive congressmen into custody.

Ellison, along with Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) and others face charges of “crowding, obstructing, and incommoding” for the stunt, which included sitting in the middle of a busy road near the U.S. Capitol.

In addition to the leftist legislators, a local union boss was also arrested at the scene.

According to Ellison, the criminal behavior was merely “civil disobedience” stemming from the fact that they feel illegal immigrants are being treated unfairly. In reality, of course, the only immigrants suffering under current law are those seeking to enter our country through the proper channels. Ellison and company want the criminal element to have a direct path to the front of the line.

This incident highlights many of the hypocrisies evident in today’s contentious political climate.

Perhaps most glaringly, the National Park Service, which has attempted to shut down even privately-funded and state-owned locations during the federal shutdown, was perfectly willing to allow a group of amnesty proponents to spend the day on the National Mall.

The Obama regime has been called out on multiple occasions for mandating the the effects of this shutdown be as painful and widespread as possible. When the coveted illegal immigrant population — widely viewed by the left as potential Democrat voters — would be inconvenienced, however, the government rolls out the red carpet to welcome them.

A faint silver lining is found in the fact that a number of prominent leftists now face criminal charges. In the eyes of their dedicated constituents, however, these arrests will only increase their cult status.