Kansas City Public Library officials are questioning the arrests of an employee and a patron during a library event.
Jeremy Rothe-Kushel, of Lawrence, was asking a question of Dennis Ross, an author and diplomat, who had just delivered a presentation at the library's Plaza branch in May. Rothe-Kushel asked if Jewish Americans, like himself, should be concerned about actions by the U.S. and Israel that amount to "state-sponsored terrorism."
The Kansas City Star reports when he tried to ask another question, a security guard grasped his arm and was trying to take him out of the room, when a library employee tried to intervene.
Both face municipal charges that library officials think should be dismissed. Police say the off-duty officers acted appropriately. Police say the arrests were appropriate.
