ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) – A man who pitched a tent on top of a building and declared a hunger strike to protest the poor job market, is now in custody. Washtenaw County Sheriff Swat team members were able to negotiate with Bill Riney and convince him to surrender just before 7:00 a.m. this morning.
Riney, 56, used a ladder to get to the top of the four story Washtenaw County Building yesterday afternoon. He stayed there through the night and had hoped to stay there for several days, but when talking with negotiators, Sheriff Jerry Clayton said Riney appeared ready to end his protest.
As a precaution, Riney was taken out of the building on a stretcher and put into an ambulance where his vitals were checked by emergency workers. He was then taken to a local hospital for any needed treatment.
Action News has learned that Riney could face charges including Trespassing. He was not armed during his protest.
Rooftop Protester
