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Protesters Arrested After Refusing To Leave Michigan Capitol

Income and sales tax revenues plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the state faces a two-fold problem—how to avoid cuts before this fiscal year ends, and what to do about the projected shortfalls next year.
Reginald Hardwick
/
WKAR-MSU
Michigan State Capitol Rotunda

Police say more than a dozen protesters have been arrested after refusing to leave the rotunda of the Michigan Capitol.

Michigan State Police say in a statement about 125 people were on the floor off the Capitol rotunda Tuesday afternoon and were required to leave the building when it closed at 5 p.m.

Police say 19 refused and were arrested for trespassing.

The protest was part of the "Michigan Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival."

On Tuesday, protesters sought to raise interest in issues related to war, militarism and national priorities.  

Police say those arrested were given appearance citations, so they weren't jailed.

The same group protested May 21 at the Grand Tower building in Lansing, where 16 arrests were made.

Weekly protests are planned through mid-June.

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