Violence Breaks Out Amid Right-To-Work Protests
LANSING (WWJ) - Michigan state troopers, some in riot gear, worked to maintain order Tuesday as thousands of pro-and anti-right-to-work protesters clashed at the Capitol.
State police talking to WWJ Newsradio 950 said several fights broke out. Two people were arrested when they tried to get into the George Romney Building, a state office building that was closed. Later in the day, dozens of state troopers in riot gear swept protesters away from that area.
Reporting from across the street on the Capitol lawn, WWJ's Jeff Glibert said a neon-vested volunteer working to try to control the crowd got maced.
In a separate incident, a demonstrator was trampled by a police horse.
The Associated Press reported state troopers used pepper spray to subdue a protester outside the Capitol who tried to pull a female trooper into a crowd.
At least one person was taken from the scene by ambulance.
WWJ's Ron Dewey reported a tent set up by the pro-right-to-work group Americans for Prosperity was torn down and several people were trapped underneath. (Scroll down to video a YouTube video of the incident).
"There were able to get out, from what I understand. But state police say the sheriff's department on horseback came in to restore order, which seems to have been the case so far," Dewey said.
No one was seriously hurt in that incident but Americans for Prosperity members were led off the grounds for their safety.
The group's Scott Hagerstrom said they lost a lot of property.
"We'll have to access the damage," said Hagerstrom. "I don't know where my computer is and everything that's on there, but the most important thing is that I believe everyone is safe. Right now, I understand, one person ... their teeth got loosened."
The massive demonstration continued through the day as the GOP-controlled House worked to approve the right-to-work measure.
In general, right-to-work laws prohibit requiring unions from collecting fees from non-union employees, which opponents say drains unions of money and weakens their ability to bargain for good wages and benefits. Supporters insist it would boost the economy and job creation.
The State House passed the legislation late Tuesday afternoon and both bills were signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder by 6 p.m.
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Video Shows Fist Fight, Protesters Tearing Down Tent (WARNING: Video contains explicit language):
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