This is believed to be the first time Occupy Louisville participants have been arrested at an organized event since forming last October, Occupy Louisville spokeswoman Lark Phillips said.

Officers were called to the bank about 1:30 p.m. on a report that demonstrators were blocking the entrance, police spokesman Dwight Mitchell said. He said they were told by management that protesters had tried to occupy the inside of the bank.

He said officers advised the demonstrators that they could protest but could not block the bank entrance or prevent customers from entering.

After a few customers were let inside the bank, several protesters tried to rush the door, Mitchell said. The officers called for backup and arrested five people.

Phillips said the group chose the branch for the demonstration at 1 p.m. to protest local home foreclosures because it was open on Saturday and because Chase is “one of the worst offenders” in making what Occupy Louisville contends are illegal foreclosures.

Occupy Louisville had promoted the event, and Phillips said some police officers were already at the branch when the protesters began assembling.

A dozen or more officers ended up at the bank, along with bank security guards, she said.

Phillips estimated there were 35 demonstrators. She said they didn’t block customers from entering or leaving the bank, or block the sidewalk or traffic. “I didn’t see anybody doing anything illegal,” she said. more http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120225/NEWS01/302250052?odyssey=mod|mostcom
Check out the member blogs, videos, and discussions @ http://12160.info/