Twelve protesters have been arrested at the Iowa Democratic headquarters this afternoon, as they protested that Guantanamo remained open and corporate donations to campaigns.

As arrests were going on, other protesters with the Occupy the Caucuses movement chanted, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Obama close Guantanamo."

Among those arrested was Frankie Hughes, 14, who earlier today told a Register reporter that she gets good grades.

More than two dozen protesters were at the Democratic headquarters, the fourth Des Moines-area site in two days that protesters have demonstrated at.

The protest began around 3:15 p.m.

Protesters sat in front of doors, blocking them.

Before the arrests began, one Des Moines police officer walked up to long-time activist Frank Cordaro, who was blocking a door, and asked: "So, how many today Frank?"

In a news release, Occupy Des Moines listed the following demands of President Barack Obama:
  1. Ease the mortgage crisis by ending foreclosures
  2. Stop accepting campaign contributions from Wall Street
  3. Restore civil liberties by ending indefinite detentions
  4. Finally step up as President and start listening to the issues of the 99% instead of the issues of Wall Street
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© Grant Rodgers/The RegisterA girl helps block the entrance to Iowa Democratic Party headquarters in Des Moines on Thursday.
A formal protest had been planned for 4:30 p.m.; a text message attributed to the Occupy the Caucus group said the "arrest team" went early, a bit after 3 p.m.

Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky said she is willing to talk with protesters for as long as they wish - but not at the party's building, and not until after Iowa's Jan. 3 caucuses, which kick of the presidential nomination cycle.

Some protesters at the headquarters, near the Des Moines airport, are younger than age 6.

Obama is not expected to be derailed as the Democrats' nominee for president. In a series of postings online, protesters said that Obama "has sold out" to large corporations and Wall Street executives.

Members of Occupy Des Moines and Occupy the Caucus said they want to focus on Democrats today to highlight corporate influence on the party, and to combat perceptions the "occupy" movement is aligned with Democrats. Organizers said between eight and 12 people would risk arrest.

There have been 27 arrests of Occupy the Caucus and Occupy Des Moines members. A few have been arrested more than once.

Among those arrested this afternoon include Hughes; Brian Hynes of New York City; Shawn Gude, of Des Moines; Ross Grooters of Pleasant Hill; Anthony Willhide of Louisiana; Frank Cordaro of Des Moines; Katie Coyle of Pleasant Hill; Danielle Ryan of Des Moines; Emily Alison of Des Moines and Danielle Ryun of Des Moines.