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Bill Young, Florida GOP Congressman, Considering Legal Action Against Protester

GOP Congressman Considers Legal Action Against Protester
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Senior Reporter, HuffPost

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Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, following the House Intelligence Committee hearing on the Sept. 11, 2012 attack in Libya and testimony by former CIA Director David Petraeus. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young (R-Fla.) is considering legal action against a protester who confronted him on Monday night, Saint PetersBlog reports.

Creative Loafing reported on Tuesday that a "persistent activist" approached Young during a protest at the congressman's office on Monday evening, loudly criticizing his defense of extending tax cuts for the top 2 percent of income earners. The 81-year-old Republican reportedly responded by menacing the demonstrator with his cane.

From Creative Loafing:

It did not end well. Young grabbed the activist by the arm and raised his cane, largely looking like he was attempting to strike the protester until both were separated by the police officers present.

Repeating that the activists were trespassing on federal property multiple times, Young did engage one constituent in passing saying that he “was the middle class” but largely didn’t address the questions on cuts.

While Creative Loafing floated the possibility that the protester might consider legal action, it is reportedly Young who has moved first. David Jolly, an attorney with ties to Young, told Saint Petersblog that the protester has been a particularly bothersome member of some of the numerous demonstrations targeting Young in the past months.

“As for the accuser who’s pushing this story, this is a young man with a history of violating the law who has been physically following the congressman for months," Jolly said. "In the coming days counsel will be reviewing whether his activities rise to the level stalking, assault, or tortious harassment of any kind.”

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Before You Go

Do These Things, Don't Cut Entitlements
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