MANKATO (TEC News) -- Two members of the Occupy Mankato group have been fined $127 each after they were arrested for trespassing January 6th at the downtown Mankato offices of Congressman Tim Walz.

According to Mankato police, when they arrived they found 22-year-old Cameron Kennedy of North Mankato in an orange rain suit lying on the floor of the office and 21-year-old Barry Winter of Mankato sitting in a chair.

Both were refusing the leave to office after closing hours.

When they arrived, Mankato police were met outside by Congressman Walz's Chief of Staff Josh Syrjamaki saying "Our offices closed at five and we need to shut down."

Police noted observing eight demonstrators with sign and recording cameras outside the building.

Inside, police again asked Walz's staff to ask the two men to leave.

"You tow need to please leave the office because we need to shut down the office. We stay open past our normal hours," said Syrjamaki, according to the police report.

Winter didn't respond, but according the the police report, Kennedy responded "I understand and respect everything you have done, but I respectfully decline. I will be laying down, non-violent, not cooperating."

Officers did say the men eventually left peacefully with officers and were given citations outside and released.

Police say they did not have to place either man in handcuffs.

Officers also noted the protesters sill outside did not interact with the congressman's staff when they left following the incident.
 
"Taking Care Of Our Own"
Leaders of Occupy Mankato have put out a call on their Facebook page to help pay the fines for Kennedy and Winter for what the group calls an "intentional act of civil disobedience."

Occupy Mankato was at the Congressman's office protesting his support of the National Defense Authorization Act.