November 5, 2009 Health care demonstrators arrested outside Lieberman office Play video

(NECN: Brian Burnell, Hartford, Conn.) - A Connecticut senator was the target of angry protesters in Washington, D.C. today. Demonstrators crowded the hallways outside Joe Lieberman's office, voicing their concerns about the Independent lawmaker's stance on health care reform.

Click here to watch more raw video from the protests.

"Shame on Senator Lieberman! Shame!"

That was the message about two dozen demonstrators wanted to deliver to Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman in Washington on Thursday. They crowded into the waiting room and hallway outside his office in the Hart building across the street from the capital. U.S. Capital Police asked them to leave.

No, we're not refusing to leave. We'll leave when Senator Lieberman meets with us."

A Lieberman staffer offered them a meeting but not with the Senator himself. That was not good enough for the demonstrators who sat in the waiting area and clogged up the hall.

"If we were the insurance companies he wouldn't be calling the police. My mother died because she lacks health insurance. Where's Senator Lieberman?"

Officers told the protesters they would get three warnings to leave and then be arrested.

"You are also subject the arrest by disturbing these other offices. Do you understand that?"

They understood. According to the website commondreams.org

this was part of a nationwide demonstration calling for health care reform. The website says 700 people signed up across the country to accept the risk of arrest. Nine people were arrested at Lieberman's office.

"Lieberman is shameful! Shame on Lieberman for threatening to filibuster the hopes of the American people!"

That is a reference to Lieberman's decision to support a Republican filibuster of any bill that includes a public health care option. That is a reversal of the senator's position stated just a few days ago.

"I'm for health insurance reform. That's why I told Senator Reid I wouldn't block beginning the debate on it. We need the debate. We need action," said Lieberman.

"Represent Connecticut! Not Aetna!"

The people put under arrest had their wrists bound. Those who refused to walk were carried out.

"He needs to decide is he the senator for Aetna or the senator for Connecticut."

"People are dieing! People are dieing! his is not funny! This is not about money! People, not profits!"

The only reaction from the senator's office came from his communications director. He released a statement reading...

"The demonstrators insisted on disrupting office operations after they rejected repeated offers for meetings with both the Senator's Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to discuss their concerns. After rejecting these meeting offers, refusing to heed warnings from the Capitol Hill police and continuing the disruption, some of the demonstrators were removed by the police."