Roughly 100 people protesting President Trump's policy and cabinet nominations came to Kansas Senator Pat Roberts's Overland Park office to have an audience with Roberts' staff. A protest organizer made an appointment for noon.
When the group showed up to the second floor office in the Central Bank of the Midwest building, Roberts staffer Chad Tenpenny told the organizer only 12 people would be allowed into the office. Sarah Little, the Communications Director for Pat Roberts, offered clarification Wednesday, saying only 12 people were allowed in because of municipal capacity rules, not office policy.
41 Action News was there as police asked the remaining protesters waiting outside Roberts’s office to move to the public sidewalk as the building was private property.
"I don't feel that that’s very responsible of our elected official," said protester Sue Heeley. "They aren’t calling numbers or inviting people to come in in an orderly fashion, which we’d be happy to do that."
Protester Mary Ralstin questions whether Roberts's office is truly private property.
"If we pay tax dollars to pay his [office] rent, we should be able to come and assemble," said Ralstin. "We were peaceful we weren't being disruptive, we weren't blocking the door for anybody, and then we have 5 police cars show up, I thought that was undeserving."
41 Action News reached out to Roberts's office for comment on the protest. A spokesperson provided a statement saying in part, "Sen. Roberts greatly values the voice of his constituents and appreciates hearing their thoughts and concerns."
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with clarification by Sen. Pat Roberts’ communications director on why only 12 people were invited into the office.
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