More Than 100 Arrested in Capitol Protest [House Republican budget plan's cuts in social programs.]

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

More Than 100 Arrested in Capitol Protest

By ELIZABETH WHITE, Associated Press Writer 26 minutes ago

U.S. Capitol Police arrested 115 religious activists who were protesting a House Republican budget plan's cuts in social programs when they refused to clear the entrance to a congressional office building Wednesday.

"These are political choices being made that are hurting low-income people," said Jim Wallis, the event's organizer and founder of the Christian ministry group Sojourners. "Don't make them the brunt of your deficit reduction and fiscal responsibility."

Wallis called the House budget plan, which would produce $50 billion in savings over five years, "the real Christmas scandal," a reference to a campaign by some conservative Christian groups against the greeting "Happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."

Wallis, who was arrested, said the group had little complaint with a more modest Senate plan.

Outside in the frigid cold for several hours, more than 200 demonstrators sang religious and holiday songs, prayed aloud and chanted, "Stop the cuts." Those who were peacefully arrested and led away from the steps of the Cannon House Office Building faced booking and a $50 fine, said Sgt. Kimberly O'Brien, a Capitol Police spokeswoman.

The prayer vigil was one of dozens taking place around the country.

"When you look at all denominations you see a real commitment to address the needs of the poor," said Rep. Barbara Lee (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif. "And here we have a budget that does just the opposite."

[Sub-Driver]

lefties...

[mnehring]

Someone needs to educate these folks on baseline budgeting.

[blackie]

Your pals are at it again. :)

[Bahbah]

Wallis called the House budget plan, which would produce $50 billion in savings over five years, "the real Christmas scandal,"

The amount of savings is disappointingly puny.

[Dog Gone]

http://www.sojo.net/

Definite lefties.

[bikerman]

They got time to protest but no time to look for a better job or training to get a better job so they wont have to rely on government handouts. lazy bums.

[dawn53]

http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=about_us.history

[Callahan]

Are these do-gooders whining about actual cuts or about reductions in the rate of growth? I know that distinction is lost on bleeding hearts.

[Tzimisce]

""These are political choices being made that are hurting low-income people," said Jim Wallis, the event's organizer and founder of the Christian ministry group Sojourners."

Of course next year look for these people continuing their support of millionaire lefties.....

[Lion Den Dan]

Nothing in Constitution about funds for the poor. Christ said the poor would always be with us. LBJ proved Christ right with the War On Poverty which has embattled our money and created more poor.

If we cut spending like cutting taxes, more money is available for real ecconomic growth and the "poor" can get a job.

[Sisku Hanne]

"In the aftermath of the November 2004 elections, a consensus among Democratic Party leaders was that their defeat could be attributed to their party's disconnect from religious voters. Seeking a way to remedy this as quickly as possible, they turned to Jim Wallis for help in developing a strategy for making Democratic candidates more appealing to the coveted religious demographic. Wallis is the founder of the organization Sojourners ...."

Imagine them protesting Republicans! They're also one of the players in the union's anti-Walmart campaign.

[Soul Seeker]

more than 100? I'm not impressed.

[Terriergal]

Check this post of mine out:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1343897/posts?page=71#71

I've been watching this guy because he is a VERY big influence in the denomination we just fled, the Evangelical Covenant. I am SURE Glen Palmberg of the E Covenant was there at this event, and as sure as shooting that he was one of the ones arrested, but I can't find any news on www.covchurch.org or anywhere. One would think he would be proud of 'suffering for Christ' don't you think? I've asked the editor of the news articles section whether they were going to update the story on the uphill battle against budget cuts etc that they originally posted, to include reference to these arrests, but so far, nothing....