Six arrested, one hospitalized at Carnahan town hall

We reported yesterday that Tea Party organizers were planning on turning out to a town hall hosted by Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) Well, things didn’t turn out so well.

Six people were arrested and at least one was hospitalized after the town hall turned rowdy,

Violence apparently broke out after the forum, which actually focused on aging issues, not healthcare. Kenneth Gladney, a conservative activist, was hospitalized after being attacked for handing out literature, he told the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

“It just seems there’s no freedom of speech without being attacked,” he said.

Gladney’s attackers were arrested.

At least a few attendees were arrested for interference, including a reporter for the Post-Dispatch.

Carnahan issued a statement deploring the violence.

“Sadly we’ve seen stories about disrupters around the country, and we have a handful of them here in Missouri,” Carnahan said. “Instead of participating in a civil debate, they have mobilized with special interests in Washington who have lined their pockets by overcharging Americans for a broken health care system.”