Nine people protesting in favor of universal health care were arrested for unlawful entry this morning after occupying the office of Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), according to Capitol Police.
Protesters chanted “Everyone in and no one out, universal health care now!” and “Represent Connecticut, not AETNA!” as they were taken from the office, ABC News reports.
Lieberman, who votes with the Democratic caucus, has said he does not support the public option and may join Republican efforts to filibuster the Senate health care bill.
These may prove to be just the first of many arrests today, as protesters from the opposite side of the debate meet at the Capitol and flood the halls to confront their representatives.
Editor’s Note: This post has been revised since it was first published.
Late update: Roll Call (sub. req.) has more from the protesters.
About 20 to 25 protesters from CodePink, Mobilization for Health Care for All and Voters for Peace said they were asking Lieberman to sign an oath stating he would no longer accept money from insurance companies. According to the protesters, Lieberman’s staff offered to meet with them, but they were told the Senator himself was unavailable.
The ones not arrested moved to a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on financial crime, which was being chaired by Lieberman.
