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* UPDATED w/ Video * A bit of drama as Statehouse protesters detained

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* 2:18 pm - We’ll have video of this in a few minutes, but several protesters were just taken away by Statehouse security. From Rep. Fritchey’s Twitter page…

Protesters blocking the door to the chambers, some being led away by law enforcement.

John Bambenek…

Protest at state capitol by SEIU… Looks like arrests made. Chanting “raise taxes now”

Kevin Lee…

SEIU workers sitting in front of House chamber’s door, urging lawmakers to pass a tax increase. […]

Sec of St police have taken into custody about 8 to 10 SEIU workers who were rallying in front of the House chamber. […]

SEIU Ill. Pres Keith Kelleher urges an inc. tax increase outside security office in Capital basement. No word on SEIU workers yet. […]

Kelleher said SEIU workers deliberately got arrested in order to pressure lawmakers on a tax increase.

*** UPDATE *** And here’s the video…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:18 pm

Comments

SEIU’s slogan “raise taxes now” is very to the point. SEIU needs taxes, their members are beneficiaries of higher taxes and big expansive government.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:21 pm
I assume they were keeping lawmakers IN the chamber, instead of out of it, right?

Comment by George Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:22 pm
Would it kill ya SEIU to chant ‘cut some other stuff’ once in a while?

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:40 pm
How about ‘Hey, Hey….Ho Ho…Lower taxes have to go!’, OneMan?

Comment by Leroy Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:43 pm
What’s the punishment for disturbing the peace under the dome? Lunch at the Rathskeller?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:50 pm
There’s a slogan for election time - what is the SEIU drinking? I want whatever they are having.

Comment by babs Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:52 pm
What a chaotic mess we have. The governor and both paties in the GA should be completely embarrassed by what has come to pass. They had a chance to turn a new page when they got rid of Rod, but they have blown that opportunity. Their true colors are showing, and they are a pathetic bunch.

Comment by Stooges Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:52 pm
So do the protesters do anything for their cause or are they just making a spectacle for the heck of it? These public displays only tend to irritate and offend legislators who might otherwise be somewhat sympathetic. I get the feeling that the only benefit here is for the protest leaders who might earn some political capitol with the rank and file by showing how tough they are.
These gorilla tactics usually do more harm than good. It is the 21st century, after all.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 2:53 pm
Chants of “Raise Taxes Now!”….wow, what a clarion call. Doesn’t quite have the resonance of “We Shall Overcome”. I wonder what percentage of the chanters pay income tax?

Comment by You Go Boy Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 3:06 pm
So many people have no compassion for others. Do you understand that there are developmentally disabled adults and children that will be homeless tomorrow? Picture yourself in that situation and then make fun. This is an extreemly somber day for anyone who believes in at least maintaining a home for our fellow human beings. What would you do if as of tomorrow you had no job, no health insurance and no outlook for a job because your profession was just wiped off the map of Illinois? It this goes through, Illinois will loose much more than a few state jobs. Where do you think all of these people spend their money? Businesses revenues will plummet, especially here in Springfield, and unemployment will sky rocket.

Comment by sad day Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 3:07 pm
FYI, You go boy, everyone in the state of Illinois who makes over $2000 pays income tax, and it’s 3% whether you make $50 over or $500,000 over it. The SEIU worker who got arrested probably don’t make what you do, but they definitely pay income taxes in this state.

Comment by beyond over Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 3:13 pm
This was all fake and staged. I

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 3:47 pm
The whole thing was preplanned and stagged between SEIU and SOS Police. SOS Police made the agreement ahead of time to take them away and make it appear they were being arrested. However, the agreement was already made that there would not be any charges, they were just making it look more dramatic for news worthiness.

It’s disgraceful that the SOS Police would come down to such a level as to allow on duty officers to assist in making headlines for the rally.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 4:35 pm
GREAT STAGING! this is the kind of jail for justice I appreciate -
Please - Anon - get off your righteousness soapbox -

Comment by collar observer Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 4:56 pm
[…] Watch video from Capitol Fax: […]

Pingback by Police Remove SEIU Protesters From State Capitol (VIDEO) » A Couple Things » A couple things about politics, sports, travel, and other stuff. Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 5:37 pm
[…] Watch video from Capitol Fax: […]

Pingback by Police Remove SEIU Protesters From State Capitol (VIDEO) | Second Reagan Revolution Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 5:38 pm
I greatly admire the SEIU workers’ courage. The leadership has got to recognize that they are inflicting serious harm on Illinois residents with their political games.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 6:51 pm
Bill-don’t you mean guerilla tactics?

Comment by Democrat Grrrrl Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 7:10 pm
Yep. Thanks, grrrrlie.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jun 30, 09 @ 7:36 pm