14 arrested in Senate anti-war protest

Fourteen anti-war protesters were arrested in a Senate office building Thursday after unfurling a banner calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider said the 14 were arrested for unlawful assembly in the Hart Senate Office Building just north of the Capitol.

The Senate voted 51-46 on Thursday to approve a funding bill that calls for the U.S. to begin withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later. Bush has promised to veto the bill.

Gael Murphy, co-founder of the women-initiated peace group Codepink, said members of her group and other peace activists participated in the demonstration, which included unfurling two banners, one listing articles of impeachment and another saying that "your silence is your legacy." They also conducted a mock military funeral.

She said they read aloud letters to Bush, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Senate staffers said they left their offices to view the demonstration when they heard protesters chanting "impeach Bush." They said several people standing on the top floor of the atrium unfurled two black banners long enough to reach down about three levels.

One staffer said women wearing the signature pink of Codepink, which has taken a lead in demonstrations against the Iraq war around the Capitol, dotted the crowd.