Nine religious leaders in Maine were arrested on trespassing charges Thursday night after occupying Sen. Susan Collin’s office for about 10 hours, according to media reports.
The faith leaders were protesting the Republican tax bill, which Collins voted for. The clergy, many of whom were more than 60 years old, had pledged not to leave Collins’ office until she promised to oppose her party’s tax bill when it comes up for a final vote, the Bangor Daily News reported.
As police escorted them out of the building with their hands in zip ties, the protesters sang songs.
“This is an expression of our faith,” the Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill of HopeGateWay United Methodist Church said, according to the Bangor Daily News. “We plan to be here as long as it takes … [If] that means that we’re arrested and taken away for that, then that’s what it takes.”
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