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State Troopers Arrest NYC Lawmakers At Rent Control Rally

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York state troopers arrested a dozen protesters, including a state senator, who blocked the entrance to the governor's office in a choreographed act of civil disobedience to push for rent control.

About 200 demonstrators were chanting Monday for new legislation to protect some 2.5 million people protected by rent controls in New York City apartments while 30 uniformed state troopers watched. Those who sat or knelt in front of the door to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's offices face a disorderly conduct charge, a violation.

Sen. Bill Perkins, a Manhattan Democrat and the first escorted out, said they are trying to get rent laws renewed or reformed.

Bronx Assemblyman Jose Rivera also was arrested.

Lawmakers are considering a deal to extend current rent protections. Some protesters say that's not enough.

Should rent control be preserved or gotten rid of? Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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