Eleven people were taken into custody Tuesday and were to be cited for disorderly conduct after staging a sit-in at the Center City office of Republican Sen. Pat Toomey to demand that he schedule a public town meeting, police said.
Protests known as "Tuesdays with Toomey" have become a regular feature at the Republican senator's office at 1600 Market Street.
THE SCENE
7 women, 4 men arrested after @TuesdaysToomey sit-in. NO commitment of town hall from @SenToomey. #democracy pic.twitter.com/4krcXCbNlJ
— Helen Ubiñas (@NotesFromHeL) February 28, 2017
THE SCENE, PART II
Breaking: @TuesdaysToomey not leaving @SenToomey Philly office until he confirms an in-person town hall. Sit-in just began. pic.twitter.com/dzeAipbHqQ
— Helen Ubiñas (@NotesFromHeL) February 28, 2017
MAKING ARRESTS
Last two arrests happening now. #TuesdayswithToomey pic.twitter.com/dDUWyDxjHF
— Helen Ubiñas (@NotesFromHeL) February 28, 2017
Those being charged with disorderly conduct sat down in the building's lobby Tuesday when representatives from his office refused to come down to meet with them or to accept a box of constituent letters.
They are expected to be released after being issued citations.
Police do not characterize the issuance of summary charges as arrests even though a person may be taken into custody while the paperwork is processed.
Toomey is moving his office to the Customs House, a federal government building, on Wednesday.
His office released a statement later Tuesday indicating that the senator is in Washington, and that staff met with the Tuesdays group earlier, on Thursday, because they were busy Tuesday preparing for the move.
"Senator Toomey believes that civility is a necessary part of a productive conversation. He does not support the actions of the protesters today who disobeyed the lawful requests from the Philadelphia Police Department," the office said.
Here is the full statement:
"Last week, Senator Toomey’s office informed the Philadelphia Tuesday protesters that Senator Toomey would be in Washington today, February 28th, and that staff would not be available to meet due to the impending office move that is scheduled for tomorrow. In an effort to ensure that a constructive dialogue was continuing, staff met with protesters last Thursday in Philadelphia.
"Senator Toomey’s current Philadelphia office is located in a privately owned building. Each week, building management, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police Department, work to ensure protesters are able to organize in a safe and lawful environment. Today though, protesters decided to stage a sit-in in the lobby of the building where Senator Toomey’s Philadelphia office is located. After voicing their concerns, protesters were asked by building management to leave. This was followed up by multiple requests from the Philadelphia Police Department.
“Senator Toomey believes that civility is a necessary part of a productive conversation. He does not support the actions of the protesters today who disobeyed the lawful requests from the Philadelphia Police Department.”
First Published: February 28, 2017, 7:39 p.m.
