I am the Senate! – Palpatine’s power was unbelievable. He held power as the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic for thirteen years. He served as the reason the Clone Wars began. Palpatine also pushed Anakin Skywalker to the dark side. However, he did have small thorns on his side. While the Jedi didn’t see the signs until it was too late to act, a group of senators tried everything in their limited power to stop him. Ultimately, this led to an event called the Senatorial Arrests.
So, what was this event? The senatorial arrests were a dark time for the Imperial Senate. The day after Emperor Palpatine announces the reorganisation, there are arrests. Sixty-three senators are accused. Their crimes allegedly consist of treason and, our personal favourite, conspiracy.
Conspiracy to do what? Takedown Palpatine? The senatorial arrests made it look like a group of senators colluded with the Jedi.
Of these 63 senators, Bail Organa and Mon Mothma were amongst them. Other members of the Delegation of 2000 were also caught up in the crackdown. However, Organa and Mothma are released after they claim loyalty to the Empire.
The idea for this post came from browsing we did on Wookieepedia for another post.
What Was The Delegation Of 2000?
The group consists of members from the Loyalist Committee. These senators were those who worried about the Chancellor’s power growth. Amongst them were Padmé Amidala, Organa and Mothma. The delegation creates and later presents a petition containing 2000 signatures to Palpatine, which he scoffs at.
After the senatorial arrests, the day after the Empire’s formation, half the delegates pulled their signatures. They did this to distance themselves and avoid arrest.
Aftermath Of Senatorial Arrests
The senators who don’t side with the Empire go to Arrth-Eno. They are imprisoned before they meet their deaths. Finally, Organa and Mothma would join forces to form a rebel alliance.
