Union protesters call the cops on themselves to stage ‘civil disobedience’ stunt at GOP office

Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), one of the largest and most politically active unions in the country, made headlines recently after contacting local California police with a plan to intentionally get arrested during a protest outside the office of GOP Rep. Young Kim.

According to a source familiar with the situation, SEIU had informed the Anaheim Police Department about a planned protest on Tuesday, during which they intended to engage in a staged “civil-disobedience type of event.” The union members had initially planned to block the entryway to Kim’s office in order to prompt their arrest by law enforcement.

However, following discussions with the police, SEIU decided to change their approach and instead held a rally outside the office with the intention of engaging in “small civil disobedience” towards the end of the protest – such as blocking a driver outside Kim’s office to receive a citation from the police.

When contacted for comment, an Anaheim Police Department spokesperson declined to provide any information on the matter.

In response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, a SEIU spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the report, instead redirecting attention to the potential impact of cutting Medi-Cal on individuals with disabilities, highlighting the importance of protecting healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

The protest outside Rep. Young Kim’s office ultimately drew around 1,000 participants, with no arrests reported. However, a small group of individuals did block a driveway near the building, leading to police intervention and citations for blocking a roadway.

Protests targeting representatives’ offices and town halls have become more common in recent years, particularly following President Donald Trump’s second term and the implementation of significant budget cuts. SEIU has been actively involved in advocating for workers’ rights and access to healthcare, with the protest outside Kim’s office specifically focused on protecting Medicaid from potential cuts.

While Democrats have raised concerns about the GOP budget’s proposed $880 billion cut to Medicaid, Republicans have assured that essential services like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would remain unaffected. Rep. Young Kim has joined other House Republicans in opposing any budget resolutions that would reduce Medicaid services, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable citizens.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Kim reiterated her commitment to safeguarding Medicaid services and working across party lines to ensure access to healthcare for all constituents. The congresswoman’s spokesperson also highlighted her bipartisan leadership and effectiveness in Congress, noting her recent ranking as the most effective federal lawmaker from California.

As progressive protest groups continue to organize disruptions at Republican-held town halls and legislative offices, some lawmakers have expressed safety concerns and opted for virtual town hall meetings. Meanwhile, Democrats like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have begun hosting town halls in Republican-controlled districts in response to disruptions at in-person meetings.

Overall, the incident involving SEIU’s planned protest outside Rep. Young Kim’s office underscores the ongoing tension surrounding healthcare policy and budget cuts, as well as the strategies employed by various advocacy groups to influence legislative decisions.