The Capitol grounds and building were witness this week to some of the most consistent and highly-charged protests in recent years. From the Governor’s plan to eliminate the income tax exemption for public and private pensions, to the emergency financial manager reform provision allowing for the removal of local-elected officials, to the overall executive budget recommendations, organized labor, seniors and college students exercised their constitutional right in protest both in and outside the historic building.
The protests came to a head Wednesday when, after several hours of demonstrations without problems, a group of younger protestors gathered in the first floor Rotunda at the Capitol’s 5:30PM closing time. After nearly an hour of negotiations among themselves and with State troopers, several protestors decided to stay, sitting on the floor and locking arms.
Finally, at just shy of 8:00PM, troopers handcuffed the five remaining protestors without incident, leading them out of the building. The only reported danger and physical altercation came when a small group of protestors remaining in the locked Capitol attempted to let in others from the east lawn and one protestor was apprehended attempting to break into the locked building with a weapon.
State troopers were clear in stating that an estimated 3,000 plus citizens protested in a respectful manner on Wednesday, and that those taken into custody had agendas differing from those gathering in organized demonstration.