Arrested protesters speak out, call for response from Sen. Capito

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) — The protest in U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s office yesterday left six Charleston natives in a holding jail cell. All six were released shortly after being held, but their experiences yesterday are still fresh in their minds.

Charleston City Councilwoman Beth Kerns said she won’t stop fighting for what she believes is a worthy cause.

“You have to realize this is our country,” she said. “This is our state. We need to stand up and fight for what we want, and when I say fight, I do not mean physical fighting. I mean standing up and letting our needs and desires be known. Yes, I have a criminal record now, and you know what? I’m proud that I stood up. I served in the military for 24 years, and I proudly will stand up to fight for the people of the state and our country again.”

Kerns acted alone in this, not representing the City of Charleston. She said part of Sen. Capito’s job is to be available for the people she represents.

“She works for us. It should not be that she’s got a hidden agenda or for her own personal benefit or gain,” Kerns said. “She’s supposed to represent the people of West Virginia, not the billionaires with the tax cuts that they’re going to get.”

In a press conference on Thursday, June 26, Sen. Capito said she encourages public opinion and was not in the state at the time.

“I have, I think, a very open, open-door policy,” she said, “You know, I wasn’t there. I’m serving here in Washington, right now, today. Believe me, I wish I’d been home. I think that certainly their right to offer their opinions and to protest are welcome. I mean, how else am I going to know?”

The group was protesting the “Big Beautiful Bill” inside her office. Their biggest concern is the potential cut to Medicaid, something protester Lyn May said is a big asset to a lot of West Virginians.

“The whole goal of this action was to get Senator Capito’s attention, to draw attention from other West Virginians to this magnificently awful bill,” May said. “About 75,000 West Virginians rely on Medicaid and are at risk of losing that should the budget reconciliation bill pass in its current form.”

All six were charged with a trespassing misdemeanor. They will be back in court in July.