Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press A supporter cheers, left, as Jethro Heiko, of Philadelphia, center, is led away by a Harrisburg police officer after being arrested at the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in Harrisburg, yesterday. The activist group Casino Free Philadelphia organized the event to draw attention to its claim that the board has not released sufficient information about the slots parlors that could be located near their members' homes.

HARRISBURG -- Fourteen people, including two women in wheelchairs, were arrested yesterday after they entered the lobby of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board headquarters to demand information about proposed casinos.

Those arrested -- all members or supporters of Casino Free Philadelphia -- were charged with disorderly conduct and can expect fines of $25, if it was their first offense, said Harrisburg police.

"This was civil disobedience," said police Capt. Pierre Ritter. "It wasn't anything that got out of control. The people who got arrested came along peaceably."

Yesterday's arrests followed a clash Friday between casino protesters and security officers in Pittsburgh.

Guards shut down elevators at Two Gateway Center when seven ministers, who oppose construction of a Hill District casino, attempted to deliver a letter to the regional gaming control board office there. After more than half an hour, one clergyman was allowed in to deliver the letter.

In Harrisburg yesterday, security guards prevented access to the fifth-floor gaming offices by closing the lobby's glass doors leading to the elevators.

Protesters crowded in front of the doors and said they would not leave until police removed them or until they were given access to updated architectural drawings, revenue projections, environmental studies and other information.

Slots casino licenses are to be awarded Dec. 20.

Protesters also are asking for a one-year delay in the awarding of licenses so the public can review and comment on the plans, which have been modified since the public comment period ended in June.

The 14 charged were prepared to be arrested and wore green armbands to distinguish themselves from 80 supporters who left the gaming board's lobby on police orders.

"They cooperated fully with us and even notified us in advance of what was going to take place," said Randy King, city director of communications. "There were no surprises. They did what they said they were going to do."

Three protesters, including the two in wheelchairs, insisted on being arrested, although police wanted to let them go.

"If they don't arrest me, it's discrimination," Karin DiNardi, 36, typed on a keypad attached to her chair. Ms. DiNardi has cerebral palsy and cannot speak.

Police carried her out of the gaming board headquarters in her wheelchair and arrested her more than a half-hour later when she insisted.

Ms. DiNardi and Michelle McCandless, 39, who also uses a wheelchair, were issued citations at the scene while 12 others were handcuffed, led to a police van, taken to police headquarters and released.

Among them was Daniel Hunter, an organizer of Casino Free Philadelphia.

"This is the story of the lengths citizens have to go to find out basic information," he said. "The gaming control board is acting irresponsibly, without public input. If the government won't fight for transparency, it's up to us to do it."

Outside the lobby's glass doors, other protesters chanted "Hey, hey, ho, ho, the public has a right to know." They carried protest signs and magnifying glasses to symbolize their intent to scrutinize casino applications.

"Democracy belongs to everybody," said protester Marc Stier, who plans to run for Philadelphia City Council. "When there's not enough opportunity for public input, our democracy is threatened. When documents are hidden from us, our democracy is threatened."