Lawmaker Arrested In Newspaper Protest

Rep. David Bonior was arrested Friday after refusing to leave the offices of the Detroit News unless it and the Detroit Free Press agreed to reinstate all of the employees who went on strike two years ago.

The Democratic congressman and five other protesters with him - mostly labor leaders - were charged with trespassing and released.

Police Inspector John Whitty said the six refused several orders to leave. They left peacefully with the police and face a court appearance July 23.

“Put people back to work today so they can take care of their families, and so we can begin to heal the wounds in our community,” Bonior said in a statement.

The walkout by 2,500 employees ended in February after 19 months when the strikers offered to return to work. However, the newspapers said they intended to keep the 1,200 replacement workers and take back the employees only as openings become available.