Protesters were arrested at two of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ Maine offices Monday, shortly after she announced her support for a closely watched Republican tax bill.
Three protesters were arrested by a federal official at Collins’ Bangor office and later released. Five protesters also were arrested at the Republican senator’s Lewiston office by local police Monday and charged with criminal trespassing after they refused to leave, according to the Sun Journal.
The arrests came soon after Collins announced her support on the Senate floor for the final version of the Republican tax bill package that critics say would favor corporations and the wealthy.
Jessica Stewart, 38, of Bass Harbor; Ridgely Fuller, 71, of Belfast; and Sharon Dean, 70, of Machias were arrested in Bangor by a U.S. Federal Protections Officer just before 5:30 p.m. The three protesters refused to leave, even after an officer warned them they faced arrest.
The Bangor protesters were escorted out of Collins’ office without handcuffs and held in a different part of the federal building. They were issued violation notices for failure to comply with a lawful order and released at 6:30 p.m. They have the option to pay a $130 fine or appear before a judge, where they could face up to 30 days in jail.
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