Sit Ins Demonstrated at Senator Lieberman's Office

Sit Ins Demonstrated at Senator Lieberman's Office – 4 Arrested

Four individuals were arrested today at the sit in. These are non violent protests that are asking for a single payer system and getting arrested to bring it to the forefront. Recently the group has been sitting in at insurance company headquarters and in Rhode Island, one group stated that United has granted their wish for a direct meeting with the CEO. The group in Rhode Island also had a cancer victim with them who has had no success in getting answers for 5 years, so that may have made some impact. Today, the sit ins were protecting the fact that Senator Lieberman has had such generous contributions from Aetna. Lieberman has threatened to join a filibuster if any government plan is included in healthcare bills. BD

Nine protesters were arrested Thursday in a demonstration at the office of Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) to demand that he pledge to stop accepting from the health insurance industry.

Lieberman, who last week said he would join a GOP filibuster of any health care bill with a government-run public option, has accepted about $1.5 million from health professionals and insurance agencies since 2003, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Twenty protesters, including four student from the University of Connecticut, marched into the senator's office in the morning and demanded to speak with him. Aides denied their request, offering constituents a closed-door meeting with two legislative aides, which was rejected. Nine protesters then staged a sit-in, saying they would not leave the office until they could have a discussion with the senator in person.

Lieberman did not arrive, though he was in the building, preparing to chair a Homeland Security Committee hearing on business formation and financial crime.

"It's ironic Lieberman is chairing this meeting on corporate crimes," said Medea Benjamin, who characterized the practice of accepting campaign donations from health insurance companies as criminal.

The demonstration was organized by the Mobilization for Health Care for All, which has been staging rallies and sit-ins in front of insurance companies since September. So far, 150 people have been arrested, and the organization promises to continue its actions.