A group of protesters demonstrating against proposed state budget cuts converged on the governor's office Thursday afternoon, the Washington State Patrol told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

WSP troopers closed the doors to keep the protesters out, then detained, cited and released 16 protesters, the WSP said. One man was arrested on two misdemeanor counts of third-degree assault, accused of striking officers.

WATCH IT: Hundreds March On State Capitol

The incident happened as labor groups converged on the state Capitol for a third day of demonstrations to call attention to budget cuts they called "immoral," as lawmakers continued their efforts to close a looming $5 billion budget deficit.

By late afternoon, the protesters left and the Capitol's doors were closed, said KIRO 7 Eyewitness News photojournalist Jay Johnson.

Johnson said organizers expect a large turnout for a protest on Friday.

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