Laurie Dobson, an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate, was removed from the Maine GOP Convention by the Augusta Police Department earlier today.

Julie O’Brien, executive director of the party, said Dobson came into the convention to protest the war during Sen. Susan Collins’ speech. She wanted onto the floor – where non-delegates are not allowed to be.

After causing more commotion, sources said, she was asked to leave. When she wouldn’t leave, she was escorted out by police.

Dobson was at the convention last night drumming up support from the Ron Paul supporters, and spoke to Collins at a reception after.

Today, she said she had joined the Ron Paul supporters, holding signs outside of the convention floor, and not breaking any rules.

Ken Lindell, coordinator of the Paul delegates, said she was in no way part of the Paul group. “She’s an independent candidate,” Lindell said.

In a statement, Dobson said: "I was at the Convention by invitation of the Ron Paul delegates; I should not have been forced out of the Civic Center when I was causing absolutely no trouble. Susan should be ashamed for keeping such a lockdown on the Party. Instead of letting the Party run her conscience and her campaign, Susan should be learning what the people of Maine want.

Dobson said she went to the neighboring Ground Round restaurant to use the restroom. Collins was there giving a speech to a group of firefighters. She said she approached Collins there to tell her that the Republican Party was “boxing her in”.

Collins told her that she was not involved in the decision to remove her, Dobson said.

Sources said she was removed from that event as well.