WSP: 6 troopers hurt in Monday's Capitol protests
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - After compiling reports on Monday night's demonstration at the Capitol in Olympia, the Washington State Patrol says a total of six troopers were injured in clashes with protesters, five more than first reported.
The patrol says two were bitten and the other four others had bumps and bruises. In addition another state worker caught in a violent push had bruised ribs and minor facial injuries.
The patrol estimated costs at $96,000 - $76,000 in straight time, $12,000 in overtime and $8,200 in travel costs for troopers from outside Olympia.
Troopers arrested four people on charges including disorderly conduct and felony assault. They used Tasers on three people and gave 30 people warnings about trespassing. At least four people were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly returning to the building after being told on Monday to stay away for 30 days.
Demonstrators opposing spending cuts and demanding higher taxes on the wealthy said they'd be back Tuesday.
Washington State Patrol Sgt. J.J. Gundermann said troopers would re-evaluate their plans, but he said the patrol plans for demonstrations and has the resources.
Monday, a total of about 3,000 people protested at the Capitol throughout the day, though the number of protesters on campus at any one time varied, Gundermann said. The protesters came from various groups, including Occupy Olympia, unions and social service groups.
Gundermann said that 30 people removed from the Capitol Monday evening received a trespassing citation and will not be allowed back on the Capitol campus for 30 days. Four people were arrested Monday, three at the Capitol Monday evening, and one earlier in the day at a committee hearing, Gundermann said.
The Washington State Patrol had locked the doors to the building Monday evening, preventing more people from entering. Earlier, hundreds of protesters, most associated with the national Occupy movement, had vowed to stay, and many brought sleeping bags to the building's rotunda. Dozens of troopers were also in the building, standing at entrances.
Dan Coon, a State Patrol spokesman, said troopers used Tasers on three people when demonstrators trying to enter the Capitol building advanced on the officers. He said the troopers were trying to protect themselves from being trampled.
"They weren't trying to disperse people," he said.
Gundermann said a fourth person, one of three arrested during the evening protest, was tasered outside on the other side of the building. In that incident, the three were arrested when they tried to enter the Capitol from a different entrance. Coon said a scuffle broke out between troopers and protesters. Two people were arrested for assault, obstruction and resisting arrest, and one was arrested for obstruction and resisting arrest, Coon said.
The patrol says two were bitten and the other four others had bumps and bruises. In addition another state worker caught in a violent push had bruised ribs and minor facial injuries.
The patrol estimated costs at $96,000 - $76,000 in straight time, $12,000 in overtime and $8,200 in travel costs for troopers from outside Olympia.
Troopers arrested four people on charges including disorderly conduct and felony assault. They used Tasers on three people and gave 30 people warnings about trespassing. At least four people were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly returning to the building after being told on Monday to stay away for 30 days.
Demonstrators opposing spending cuts and demanding higher taxes on the wealthy said they'd be back Tuesday.
Washington State Patrol Sgt. J.J. Gundermann said troopers would re-evaluate their plans, but he said the patrol plans for demonstrations and has the resources.
Monday, a total of about 3,000 people protested at the Capitol throughout the day, though the number of protesters on campus at any one time varied, Gundermann said. The protesters came from various groups, including Occupy Olympia, unions and social service groups.
Gundermann said that 30 people removed from the Capitol Monday evening received a trespassing citation and will not be allowed back on the Capitol campus for 30 days. Four people were arrested Monday, three at the Capitol Monday evening, and one earlier in the day at a committee hearing, Gundermann said.
The Washington State Patrol had locked the doors to the building Monday evening, preventing more people from entering. Earlier, hundreds of protesters, most associated with the national Occupy movement, had vowed to stay, and many brought sleeping bags to the building's rotunda. Dozens of troopers were also in the building, standing at entrances.
Dan Coon, a State Patrol spokesman, said troopers used Tasers on three people when demonstrators trying to enter the Capitol building advanced on the officers. He said the troopers were trying to protect themselves from being trampled.
"They weren't trying to disperse people," he said.
Gundermann said a fourth person, one of three arrested during the evening protest, was tasered outside on the other side of the building. In that incident, the three were arrested when they tried to enter the Capitol from a different entrance. Coon said a scuffle broke out between troopers and protesters. Two people were arrested for assault, obstruction and resisting arrest, and one was arrested for obstruction and resisting arrest, Coon said.
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