MO 6 people arrested after forum on aging turns into heated

[Dixie]

6 people arrested after forum on aging turns into heated health care debate

10:25 PM CDT on Friday, August 7, 2009

Larry Conners' Blog

Rep. Russ Carnahan talks healthcare reform

Video: http://www.kmov.com/video/topvideo-inde ... 7033&shu=1


(KMOV) -- There were some intense moments over the nation's healthcare system in south St. Louis County.

Missouri Congressman Russ Carnahan held a forum on aging on Thursday night, but that’s not what the crowd wanted to discuss – it was health care reform.

Health care reform wasn't officially on the docket, but that's what everyone seemed to want to talk about.

There were about 800 supporters and opponents outside the forum, and the situation got pretty heated.

Inside the forum, things were a little more organized, but still very intense.

About 200 people were let inside but the others were not allowed in.

Authorities tell News 4 that six people were arrested, including a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter. Two of those people were arrested for suspicion of assault, one for resisting arrest and three on suspicion of committing peace disturbances.

During the meeting, Carnahan took one question that had been submitted earlier on health care reform. [So he screened the questions and picked one that fit his agenda]

Some attending the meeting were frustrated with how Carnahan addressed the health care reform questions.

Supporters of the health care reform accused the demonstrators of being disruptive.

While opponents say they just went there to try and get some answers and voice their displeasure with the bill.

The forum essentially turned into a health care free-for-all.

Congressman Carnahan did end up addressing the issue, in our News 4 studio Thursday night during a talk with News 4’s Larry Conners.

The public will get a chance to voice your opinions at some upcoming forums.

A planned health care forum with Senator McCaskill has been cancelled as a direct result of last night's confrontation. Drama

http://www.kmov.com/topstories/stories/ ... 08b1e.html

[Dixie]

Related
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-166071-carnahan.html

[Jean]

Six people, including P-D reporter, arrested at Carnahan meeting
By Leah Thorsen
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Aug. 06 2009

UPDATED, 8 a.m. Friday

MEHVILLE -- St. Louis County police arrested six people, including a
Post-Dispatch reporter, during a demonstration Thursday evening outside a forum
on aging called by U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.

Two of the people were arrested on suspicion of assault, one of resisting
arrest and three on suspicion of committing peace disturbances, police say.

The forum drew an overflow crowd of several hundred to Bernard Middle School
gym in south St. Louis County. Dozens of people, many carrying signs about the
health care debate, were kept out because of the turnout. The back and forth
between factions within the crowd created a carnival-like atmosphere inside and
out between members of the movement opposing President Barack Obama's policies
and groups who came to show support for the president's proposals.

The six people were arrested after confrontations outside the school, said
county police spokesman Rick Eckhard. Carnahan was gone when the ruckus
started, Eckhard said.

Post-Dispatch reporter Jake Wagman, who was covering the event and shooting
video for stltoday.com, was arrested for interference.

Post-Dispatch photographer Dawn Majors was at the scene and photographed the
arrests. She said she heard Wagman yell her name and say that he was being
taken into custody.

In a prepared statement released Friday morning, Carnahan said: "Sadly we've
seen stories about disrupters around the country, and we have a handful of them
here in Missouri. Instead of participating in a civil debate, they have
mobilized with special interests in Washington who have lined their pockets by
overcharging Americans for a broken health care system."

"I will continue to engage with constituents that I am honored to represent in
Congress and fight to achieve long-overdue health insurance reform in our
country," Carnahan said.

One of those arrested was Brian Matthews, 34, of St. Louis city, who works as a
rehabber and previously worked on a campaign for a Texas statehouse candidate.

"I feel like it was a bull rush," Matthews said. "It all came from behind."

Matthews said he had been inside the forum because he is in favor of a public
option for health care. He had attended with a friend, a 51-year-old woman.
After it was over, they were walking outside and had a run-in with a man who
was trying to videotape them. Matthews said that man from from the GOP. They
reported the man to a police officer, who seemed uninterested, Matthews said.

As the pair walked to their car, they saw a man on the street who looks like he
had been assaulted. Police surrounded him.

"My friend took pictures," Matthews said, "and an officer told her not to. She
contested that."

Matthews said he and his friend walked away, arm in arm. The officer followed
them, and Matthews friend exchanged words with the officer, Matthews said.

"I can't tell you how many police officers charged us from behind," Matthews
said. "I was pushed to the ground by one. I was pushed into the back of
somebody who was walking away."

Matthews said he was told he was arrested for interference. His friend was
maced "after she was subdued by the police," Matthews said. She vomited on the
side of the road, then later vomited more in the police car, he said.

Kenneth Gladney, 38, a conservative activist from St. Louis, said he was
attacked by some of those arrested as he handed out yellow flags with "Don't
tread on me" printed on them. He spoke to the Post-Dispatch from the emergency
room at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, where he said he was awaiting
treatment for injuries to his knee, back, elbow, shoulder and face. Gladney,
who is black, said one of his attackers, also a black man, used a racial slur
against him before the attack.

"It just seems there's no freedom of speech without being attacked," he said.

Members of the local Tea Party Coalition, a movement that has emerged to
counter Obama's policies, had urged their members to attend Carnahan's forum,
which in turn spurred Democrats to establish a strong presence.

Inside the gathering, while speakers stuck to aging issues, they were often
interrupted by yells from audience members who wanted to shift the focus to
health care.

"This isn't even close to civil," said Steve Belosi, 52, of Lake Saint Louis,
commenting on the crowd. "The rudeness was beyond compare."

Added Joyce Flecke, 70, of south St. Louis County: "A complete waste of time."

Other recent Carnahan appearances, including one earlier this week on the Cash
for Clunkers program, have drawn similar protests. And last week, hundreds
turned out to voice their opinions on reforms to the staff of Sen. Claire
McCaskill, D-Mo.

Carnahan issued a statement after the Thursday night's forum, saying: "Sadly
we've seen stories about disrupters around the country, and we have a handful
of them here in Missouri. Instead of participating in a civil debate, they have
mobilized with special interests in Washington who have lined their pockets by
overcharging Americans for a broken health care system."

The St. Louis protests are part of the increasingly vocal debate across the
country.

In the week since the House began its break, several town hall-style meetings
have been disrupted by demonstrators. These episodes have drawn widespread
media attention, and Republicans have seized on them as well as polls showing a
decline in support for Obama and his agenda as evidence that public support is
lacking for his signature legislation.

Energized conservative activists have vowed to fight Obama's policies.

The president wants to use the government's clout to subsidize coverage for
millions now uninsured, regulate insurance companies more closely and attempt
to slow the rise of medical costs.

The protesters insist they're part of a ground-level movement that represents
real frustration with government spending and growth.

In Denver on Thursday, about 250 people on all sides of the health care debate
waved signs and shouted slogans in front of the Stout Street Clinic as House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi toured the medical clinic for the homeless.

"Just say no!" yelled those demonstrating against health care reform.

"Yes we can!" shouted back those who support Obama's plan.

The Republican Party says it's not behind the protests, but Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid of Nevada scoffed at the notion that the protesters reflect
grass-roots sentiment. He held up a piece of artificial turf during a session
with reporters.

"These are nothing more than destructive efforts to interrupt a debate that we
should have, and are having," Reid said. "They are doing this because they
don't have any better ideas. They have no interest in letting the negotiators,
even though few in number, negotiate. It's really simple: They're taking their
cues from talk show hosts, Internet rumor-mongerers ... and insurance rackets."

Republicans answered.

"All the polls show there is serious concern, if not outright opposition, to
the president's health care plan," said Antonia Ferrier, spokeswoman for House
Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio. "Democrats are ginning up this cynical
shell game."

www.stltoday.com

[vmonkey56]

"Yes we can!" shouted back those who support Obama's plan.

Can they pay a premium or do they have a job? What about the illegal immigrants cost of care? Are these "Yes we can!" willing to pay for the illegal immigrants, too?

Fix the immigration problem, FIRST! Anchor Baby Law, too.

How is California's Anchor Baby Petition going?