Howie Hawkins arrested during protest

News10Now – Time-Warner Cable
Web Staff
2009 November 5th

http://news10now.com/cny-news-1013-content/top_stories/486894/howie-hawkins-arrested-during-protest

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Green Party co-founder Howie Hawkins was arraigned Thursday morning following his arrest during a peaceful protest on South Salina Street.

About 20 people gathered outside of the Wellpoint/Excellus offices on South Salina Street Wednesday to protest the company's practices. Hawkins was arrested after he attempted to deliver a letter to the company's CEO. The letter demanded Wellpoint put its profits into care and stop denying coverage to those who have paid premiums.

When the company would not accept the letter Hawkins stood in the building's doorway blocking traffic.

"I think you know it's time to I guess, just to speak out as loudly as we can because the current reforms are not going to contain costs, they are not going to cover everybody and even locally, I told myself I would do this whether I was elected to the council or not," Hawkins said.

Hawkins was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to return to court on January 7.