Police on Wednesday immediately detained a man soon after he landed a small helicopter on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, in what apparently was part of a protest by a Florida man involving a campaign fundraising decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"The U.S. Capitol Police is investigating a gyro copter with a single occupant that has landed on the grassy area of the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol," read a statement issued by police.
From my small broadcast booth in the Capitol, I heard a buzzing sound as the gyrocopter landed just after 1 pm.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Police quickly converged on the scene, while the man, reportedly a postal worker from Florida, waited at the gyrocopter.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Other police officers arrived swiftly, as the West Front of the Capitol was closed off to the public and police vehicles blocked streets around the Capitol building.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
A story in today's Tampa Bay Times said the pilot was protesting the Citizens United decision of the U.S. Supreme Court dealing with campaign fundraising.
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