Seattle Police arrested Green Party candidate Aaron Dixon for trespassing after he tried to push his way into a U.S. Senate debate at KING 5 Television Tuesday afternoon.

The debate was taped at 2 p.m. for broadcast at 9 p.m.

Witnesses say Dixon attempted to push into the building after he was told by KING 5 staff that he was not allowed to enter. Seattle Police officers took him into custody for trespassing.

Dozens of supporters and protesters filled the sidewalks outside KING 5 waving signs and chanting, "Let him go!"

Dixon was not among the candidates that met KING 5's criteria of public support and fundraising to qualify for the debate. Maria Cantwell, Mike McGavick and Bruce Guthrie met those qualifications.

KING

Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate Aaron Dixon is arrested outside of the KING5 television studios in Seattle, Oct. 17, 2006

KING Television President and General Manager Ray Heacox said the issue of when to include a third party candidate in a debate is one of the most difficult issues in covering politics.

"Our goal is to have a public discourse on the issues," Heacox said in a written statement. "We invited all the Senate candidates to participate in the debate under the condition that they met any one of a number of criteria to establish their viability. These criteria were based on the guidelines established by the Debate Advisory Standards Project. It is unfortunate that Mr. Dixon did not meet any of those criteria. It is also unfortunate that he refused to leave the premises when asked to do so."

Dixon is the founder of the nonprofit organization, Central House, providing transitional housing for homeless young adults in the Seattle area.

The debate airs Tuesday night at 9 on KING 5 and KING5.com.