13 protesters arrested at WA state gov.'s office

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Authorities say 13 people protesting proposed budget cuts have been arrested at the Washington state capital.

The arrests came after a crowd of about 400 protesters converged on Gov. Chris Gregoire's office Thursday afternoon.

State Patrol spokesman Robert Calkins says a scuffle broke out as police tried to keep them from entering the office.

He says 12 were arrested for disorderly conduct and one man for allegedly attacking two troopers, who weren't seriously hurt.

Authorities say the incident prompted officials to temporarily bar the public from the main legislative building.

It was the third day labor groups gathered in Olympia protested cuts aimed at closing Washington's looming $5 billion deficit.

About 50 protesters slept inside the Capitol Wednesday night as part of the demonstration.