MEHVILLE -- St. Louis County police arrested six people, including a Post-Dispatch reporter, during a demonstration Thursday evening outside a forum on aging called by U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.
Two of the people were arrested on suspicion of assault, one of resisting arrest and three on suspicion of committing peace disturbances, police say.
The forum drew an overflow crowd of several hundred to Bernard Middle School gym in south St. Louis County. Dozens of people, many carrying signs about the health care debate, were kept out because of the turnout. The back and forth between factions within the crowd created a carnival-like atmosphere inside and out between members of the movement opposing President Barack Obama's policies and groups who came to show support for the president's proposals.
The six people were arrested after confrontations outside the school, said county police spokesman Rick Eckhard. Carnahan was gone when the ruckus started, Eckhard said.
Post-Dispatch reporter Jake Wagman, who was covering the event and shooting video for stltoday.com, was arrested for interference.
Post-Dispatch photographer Dawn Majors was at the scene and photographed the arrests. She said she heard Wagman yell her name and say that he was being taken into custody.
In a prepared statement released Friday morning, Carnahan said: "Sadly we've seen stories about disrupters around the country, and we have a handful of them here in Missouri. Instead of participating in a civil debate, they have mobilized with special interests in Washington who have lined their pockets by overcharging Americans for a broken health care system."
"I will continue to engage with constituents that I am honored to represent in Congress and fight to achieve long-overdue health insurance reform in our country," Carnahan said.
One of those arrested was Brian Matthews, 34, of St. Louis city, who works as a rehabber and previously worked on a campaign for a Texas statehouse candidate.
"I feel like it was a bull rush," Matthews said. "It all came from behind."
Matthews said he had been inside the forum because he is in favor of a public option for health care. He had attended with a friend, a 51-year-old woman. After it was over, they were walking outside and had a run-in with a man who was trying to videotape them. Matthews said that man from from the GOP. They reported the man to a police officer, who seemed uninterested, Matthews said.
As the pair walked to their car, they saw a man on the street who looks like he had been assaulted. Police surrounded him.
"My friend took pictures," Matthews said, "and an officer told her not to. She contested that."
Matthews said he and his friend walked away, arm in arm. The officer followed them, and Matthews friend exchanged words with the officer, Matthews said.
"I can't tell you how many police officers charged us from behind," Matthews said. "I was pushed to the ground by one. I was pushed into the back of somebody who was walking away."
Matthews said he was told he was arrested for interference. His friend was maced "after she was subdued by the police," Matthews said. She vomited on the side of the road, then later vomited more in the police car, he said.
Kenneth Gladney, 38, a conservative activist from St. Louis, said he was attacked by some of those arrested as he handed out yellow flags with "Don't tread on me" printed on them. He spoke to the Post-Dispatch from the emergency room at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, where he said he was awaiting treatment for injuries to his knee, back, elbow, shoulder and face. Gladney, who is black, said one of his attackers, also a black man, used a racial slur against him before the attack.
"It just seems there's no freedom of speech without being attacked," he said.
Members of the local Tea Party Coalition, a movement that has emerged to counter Obama's policies, had urged their members to attend Carnahan's forum, which in turn spurred Democrats to establish a strong presence.
Inside the gathering, while speakers stuck to aging issues, they were often interrupted by yells from audience members who wanted to shift the focus to health care.
"This isn't even close to civil," said Steve Belosi, 52, of Lake Saint Louis, commenting on the crowd. "The rudeness was beyond compare."
Added Joyce Flecke, 70, of south St. Louis County: "A complete waste of time."
Other recent Carnahan appearances, including one earlier this week on the Cash for Clunkers program, have drawn similar protests. And last week, hundreds turned out to voice their opinions on reforms to the staff of Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
Carnahan issued a statement after the Thursday night's forum, saying: "Sadly we've seen stories about disrupters around the country, and we have a handful of them here in Missouri. Instead of participating in a civil debate, they have mobilized with special interests in Washington who have lined their pockets by overcharging Americans for a broken health care system."
The St. Louis protests are part of the increasingly vocal debate across the country.
In the week since the House began its break, several town hall-style meetings have been disrupted by demonstrators. These episodes have drawn widespread media attention, and Republicans have seized on them as well as polls showing a decline in support for Obama and his agenda as evidence that public support is lacking for his signature legislation.
Energized conservative activists have vowed to fight Obama's policies.
The president wants to use the government's clout to subsidize coverage for millions now uninsured, regulate insurance companies more closely and attempt to slow the rise of medical costs.
The protesters insist they're part of a ground-level movement that represents real frustration with government spending and growth.
In Denver on Thursday, about 250 people on all sides of the health care debate waved signs and shouted slogans in front of the Stout Street Clinic as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi toured the medical clinic for the homeless.
"Just say no!" yelled those demonstrating against health care reform.
"Yes we can!" shouted back those who support Obama's plan.
The Republican Party says it's not behind the protests, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada scoffed at the notion that the protesters reflect grass-roots sentiment. He held up a piece of artificial turf during a session with reporters.
"These are nothing more than destructive efforts to interrupt a debate that we should have, and are having," Reid said. "They are doing this because they don't have any better ideas. They have no interest in letting the negotiators, even though few in number, negotiate. It's really simple: They're taking their cues from talk show hosts, Internet rumor-mongerers ... and insurance rackets."
Republicans answered.
"All the polls show there is serious concern, if not outright opposition, to the president's health care plan," said Antonia Ferrier, spokeswoman for House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio. "Democrats are ginning up this cynical shell game."
