Health care debate turns violent in Wichita

WICHITA, Kansas – Rhetoric over the national health care debate appears to be getting violent here in Kansas and across the country. Bricks are flying through windows as a protest to the action in Washington.

"We've had our fair share of disgruntled phone calls," says Lyndsay Stauble who works at the Sedgwick County Democratic headquarters, "people angry about the issue of the day. But we've never had a violent act of vandalism. This is the first time."

Here in Wichita a brick bearing anti-health care and anti-Obama messages was thrown through a window at the Sedgwick County Democratic headquarters. The destruction came just before the House passed health care reform Friday night or early Saturday morning.

No one was at the building when the vandalism happened. "As long as i've got internet access and a telephone I can work," says Stauble, "So, i'm working.."

Police say a single brick with a couple of messages was thrown through the glass. Party leaders are back to work inside with minimal damage. Police are investigating but with less than $1,000 in damage, it’s criminal damage to property.

No one has been caught but police are investigating.

“It was an enormous mess,” explains Stauble. "There was glass everywhere, the window busted in. Signs messed up gouge in my desk. It was a very big mess. Took a long time to clean up.”

Similar incidents were reported in several states. A Democratic congresswoman’s office in Arizona and at least two Democratic offices in New York were hit with similar destruction and similar messages. It also appears there is a group asking people to throw bricks through windows.

If someone is caught here in the Wichita area, the crime would likely be a misdemeanor with fines up to a thousand dollars and up to six months in jail.