Columbus Police said they have arrested 16 people during a protest outside of Sen. Rob Portman’s office Friday.
Police said medics with Columbus Fire were trying to get into 37 W. Broad Street, the building in which Sen. Portman’s office is located, for a person suffering from chest pains.
Police said protesters, some in wheelchairs, were blocking medics from accessing the elevators. Officers were called as backup to help clear the crowd.
At that time, security with the building asked for all protesters to leave the property and not return.
Medics were eventually able to access the elevator. Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said medics did not find a patient.
Most of those arrested were charged with criminal trespassing.
Protesters were outside of Sen. Portman’s office requesting him to vote no on the Senate’s new health care bill.
Police said all of those arrested were from out of the state.