Outburst at Kennedy health care forum

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A Providence mayoral candidate was arrested Monday afternoon, following an outburst directed at Rep. Patrick Kennedy during a health care forum at Brown University.

Chris Young verbally criticized Kennedy for the Congressman's support of abortion funding in the health care reform bill. Young was forcibly removed after he was told his time was up, but refused to yield the floor.

"You have violated my religious rights! I do not support the public funding of abortion!", Young was heard yelling as a half-dozen police officers carried him from the forum.

Representative Kennedy has been involved in an ongoing feud with Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin over the issue of abortion rights. It began in October when Kennedy criticized church leaders for threatening to oppose health care reform unless it contained restrictions on abortion.

Tobin accused Kennedy of making an unprovoked attack on the church, publicly questioned his faith and requested a meeting that ultimately fell apart.

The feud escalated when it was revealed earlier this month that Tobin had asked Kennedy back in 2007 not to receive Holy Communion, because of his support of abortion rights.

Kennedy had little to say about the dispute at Monday's forum.

"These are personal issues of faith for me, and I am not going to indulge in this debate anymore," Kennedy said.

Chris Young was charged with disorderly conduct, according to police.