George Clooney released following arrest at Sudan protest in Washington

George Clooney speaks to the press after he and his father were released from the Metropolitan Police second district station on March 16, 2012, in Washington.

/ Getty

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - Updated 3:05 p.m. EDT

George Clooney has been released following his arrest Friday during a protest outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.

The actor, his father, journalist Nick Clooney, and others were arrested after being warned three times not to cross a police line outside the embassy. Those taken into custody included NAACP President Ben Jealous, Martin Luther King III, and actor and comedian Dick Gregory.

Pictures: George Clooney arrested in Washington
Pictures: His week in Washington
Pictures: George Clooney
Pictures: Nick Clooney

The protesters accused Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, of provoking a humanitarian crisis and blocking food and aid from entering the Nuba Mountains in the county's border region with South Sudan.

Clooney was released several hours later after paying a $100 fine.

"What we've been trying to achieve today is we're trying to bring attention to an ongoing emergency," he told reporters following his release. "Our job right now is to try to bring attention to it, and one of those ways was, apparently, get arrested."

"We hope people understand there really is a ticking clock on this and we need to get moving," he added. "There's been amazing progress at times. There've been some great strides, but on the other hand, there's an awful lot that's still going on."

Clooney also joked about what it was like in jail: "It was really rough, you can imagine. Have you ever been in a cell with these guys?"

The actor said this was his first arrest, adding, "And let's hope it's my last."

Several members of Congress were also arrested, including Massachusetts Reps. James McGovern and John Olver, Texas Rep. Al Green and Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia. They were handcuffed and placed into a U.S. Secret Service van.

Clooney's arrest came after he met this week with President Barack Obama, testified in the Senate and attended a state dinner for British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Read more: Clooney's arrest caps week in Washington

"This is a moment where we have a chance to do something because if we don't, in the next three to four months, there's going to be a real humanitarian disaster," Clooney said before his arrest.

"It's such a silly thought to think you're actually succeeding in any of this," he added. "But if it's loud enough - and you keep making it loud enough - at the very least, people will know about it, and you can't say, 'We didn't know.' That's the first step."

25 Photos

George Clooney in Washington

[nochipazyanya]

I am completely dumbfounded at the number of people bashing Clooney because he's trying to help people that are not American and because he's a celebrity. Get a grip folks. He's using his celebrity status, not to rake in more gold for himself but to rake in more attention on the needy that we rarely hear about. He's making a statement and he's using his popularity to make sure that his statement is heard. Sure, he's not making a statement to stand up against poverty and crime here in the states but he's making a statement to help people. Why does it matter that those people don't live among you. Wake up, we could be just like them one day. With no one to help us and no one to stand up for us and no one to intercede on our behalf. You'd be grateful for anyone to intervene on your behalf, even if it happens to be a celebrity. Why don't you take his message to heart and stand up for a righteous cause, be it in your own backyard or in another country? KONY 2012. STOP THE VIOLENCE. STAND UP FOR HUMANITY - APPLAUD HUMANITARIANISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[mikie2001]

Really??? Clooney can't get enough publicity in Hollywood? He should stay there where he and all the other left wing bomb throwers can help obama best. Why doesn't he protest about all the robberies and out of control crime in DC? We have enough in DC w/o him and his friends showing up for free press. He should be in the Sudan protesting if he really wants to help. Thing is, if he went to jail there, wouldn't be no $100 fine,free press and smiles! We need to save America first. We can no longer be a babysitter to the entire world. Come on people, THINK for yourselves for a change and stop being influenced by the Hollywood elite.

[nochipazyanya]

Really, and what have you done to protest the robberies and out of control crime going on in your neighborhood. Step back, take a deep breath, and recognize that atrocities are occurring all over the world - not just in your back yard. Clooney is taking a stand for people that don't have the resources to do it for themselves. Clooney is trying to make a government, with the resources to make a difference, help those who can't help themselves. Yes, we need help here. But people are people everywhere - not just in America. He sees a people that need help and he's trying to help. Shame on you for bashing a man that's trying to help. He's using his celebrity status to make a bigger statement. Can you do the same?

[peacefulperson]

Clooney will do anything to keep his name in the news. Very sad. If only he would use some of his awesome wealth to improve conditions in Sudan. Maybe he could sell his house in Italy to raise the money. Or his flat in London, or his villa in the south of France. Or some of this famous art collection. Or all four. Imagine how grateful the people of Sudan would be to get food, services and supplies from Clooney instead of just words and empty promises.

[unclebernies]

Clooney is a class act and I respect his dedication to poinitng attention to a human rights disaster in Sudan.

[peacefulperson]

If only he would do something more than just point.

[shadowsil]

I think all of the stars who demand or think the U.S. Should get involved in foreign wars or invade foreign countries are farging idiots.

I got a better idea, get every star and starlet who want to fix Sudan, Ethiopia and others and give them guns and send them on their way to go fix the world..

I shall laugh when their accomplishments equal Zero...

Or use your own dam monies to hire mercenaries, I am sure the combined total of our supposed actors and actresses who give a dam would equal billions. They could go hire their own dam armies.

STOP BEING IDIOTS AND ASKING FOR OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS IN THE MILITARY TO GO FIX THE WORLD, THEY DIE. YOU DO NOT....

Go back to your caviar and 250,00 nightly parties and ****.

[kroguej]

Lock your doors, I for one felt much safer with Clooney off the streets.

[washmohickory]

Although I usually disagree with Clooney, it is good to see him supporting the democratic and primarly Christian nation of South Sudan. Christianity and democracy go together while Islam or atheism and dictatorships go together. America ought to pay attention to that.

[kroguej]

Europe is mostly atheist these days and I would argue far more democratic than the US.

[bobnjersey]

[Christianity and democracy go together while Islam or atheism and dictatorships go together. America ought to pay attention to that.]
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what about chocolate and peanut butter ... didn't you leave that one out?

[Threewarriors]

I dont remember a press conference waiting for me when I got out of jail. All these people are smiling around Georgie and his papa. Nobody wanted my autograph and other ....errr...uhm...well you know.....

[maddiekat]

The more you read, the more you realize conservatives hate America!

[bobnjersey]

[The more you read, the more you realize conservatives hate America!]
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you need the secret cypher to decode.

they love themselves ... and believe they are the only one's who truly represent america ... therefore they are america ... and again ... they love themselves ... which is america ... so they actually do love america after all.

[waassup]

by ConSense March 16, 2012 6:23 PM EDT
He can probably afford the $100. But he doesn't have a prayer of getting help for Sudan. Cowardly Americans are already insisting we surrender and leave Afghanistan, not caring a bit about what we leave behind. Getting their support or their president's ain't gonna happen.


I'm an American. I could give a $hit what we leave behind in that "fifth world" barbaric country.