Four protesters were arrested Monday as Occupy Olympia, along with other groups, invaded Washington's state Capitol with drums, shouts and expletives.
Jesse D. Hagopian, 32, of Seattle, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct as he and more than a dozen others stormed a committee room shouting and demanding tax increases on the so-called rich.
Zachary Payment, 24, of Graham; Kellen Linnell, 26, of Lynnwood; and an unidentified man were arrested for felony assault on troopers and failure to disperse.
Monday was the first day of a special 30-day legislative session intended to deal with a $1.4 billion deficit.
Seattle's KING 5 reported that protesters "occupied the building's rotunda most of the day, venting their frustration with proposed state budget cuts."
In addition to those in the rotunda, a large crowd gathered on the steps carrying signs that read "Save our Services," "Protect Our People" and "People of Washington are United." A large banner said "Tax the 1 percent not the 99 percent."
The Seattle Times observed:
In maybe the most dramatic scene of the day, dozens of protesters temporarily shut down a House Ways and Means Committee meeting when they started chanting, "We the educators of Washington state will not remain silent while the state Legislature cuts the funding to our schools. It is immoral, and it is illegal ... "
Even more activists were outside the hearing room, pounding on doors manned by nervous-looking security guards.
The demonstration devolved into protesters shouting expletives at lawmakers. After a while, the committee chairman, Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, suspended the hearing for about 30 minutes. One protester was arrested during the disturbance, the State Patrol said.
KING 5 added:
By night, protesters clashed with troopers trying to vacate the Capitol, resulting in a handful of arrests. Protesters who refused to leave were forcibly escorted and/or carried out. Several people were also given trespass warnings. If they return to the Capitol grounds within 30 days, they could be arrested.
Three protesters were tased as they tried to push their way back into the building, and a state trooper's arm was bitten by a protester. The Oregonian reported that a Department of Enterprise Services employee was injured in the ribs.
"We saw a large number of people come to the Capitol and demonstrate peacefully," WSP Lt. Mark Arras said. "We're disappointed that it was necessary to arrest a small group that arrived fully intending to cause a disturbance."
According to KING 5, authorities expected more than 3,000 protesters from various groups, including Occupy Olympia. Members of the state's teachers union were also present, protesting cuts to education.
Occupy Olympia is calling for a "Capital Week of Actions," with various activities planned for the week, including a special day to call for the end of billionaires:
Wednesday, November 30: Make the 1 Percent Pay.
It’s time for the richest 1 percent to pay. Big banks and large corporations must serve the people’s democracy. We will share strategies for ending corporate dominance in our local communities.
We need to demand the end of billionaires. No private individual is capable of using a billion dollars efficiently and for the betterment of society.
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