12 Protesters Arrested After Staging Sit-In At Toomey's Office
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Authorities say a dozen protesters were arrested today after staging a sit-in at Sen. Pat Toomey's Philadelphia office.
Philly Protesters Gather For 'Tuesdays With Toomey'
Police say they were arrested for disorderly conduct after refusing to leave his office on JFK Boulevard.
Authorities say nine were issued citations.
The sit-in lasted approximately one hour.
The protesters were demanding the Republican senator have an in-person town hall meeting.
Can we ask you this without getting arrested? #ToomeyTownHallhttps://t.co/LqySkoXO7l
— Tuesdays With Toomey (@TuesdaysToomey) February 28, 2017
Toomey's office said in a statement that the senator does not support the protesters' actions.
"Last week, Senator Toomey's office informed the Philadelphia Tuesday protesters that Senator Toomey would be in Washington today, February 28th, and that staff would not be available to meet due to the impending office move that is scheduled for tomorrow. In an effort to ensure that a constructive dialogue was continuing, staff met with protesters last Thursday in Philadelphia.
"Senator Toomey's current Philadelphia office is located in a privately owned building. Each week, building management, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police Department, work to ensure protesters are able to organize in a safe and lawful environment. Today though, protesters decided to stage a sit-in in the lobby of the building where Senator Toomey's Philadelphia office is located. After voicing their concerns, protesters were asked by building management to leave. This was followed up by multiple requests from the Philadelphia Police Department.
"Senator Toomey believes that civility is a necessary part of a productive conversation. He does not support the actions of the protesters today who disobeyed the lawful requests from the Philadelphia Police Department."