Labor backers arrested at Tenn. Capitol protest

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Troopers have forcibly carried out seven union supporters from the Tennessee Capitol after their protest disrupted a Senate committee hearing.

The seven were among those who stood up during a committee hearing Tuesday and began chants about "union busting" by the Legislature.

Most demonstrators left the hearing room after a half-hour, but a small group tried to lock arms to keep from being removed. Troopers pulled the holdouts out of the room one by one, while lawmakers, lobbyists and other observers looked on. The protesters were arrested and face charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

The disruption occurred after hundreds of labor supporters gathered for a midday protest near the Capitol to denounce a bill to strip teachers of their collective bargaining rights.

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Online:

Read HB0130 at http://capitol.tn.gov