NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (CBS Connecticut) – The wife of New Britain’s Mayor Tim O’Brien was arrested last week while taking part in an Occupy Hartford demonstration.

Rhona Cohen was one of several local citizens arrested last week and charged with disorderly conduct while participating with Occupy Hartford protesters who were blocking an entrance ramp to I-84 in the city.

“I acted because my sense of consciousness directed me to do so,” Cohen said to the New Britain Herald. “I am very concerned about the economic crisis, and if I don’t stand up, then who will?”

The arrest happened Nov. 17, the same day as the Occupy movement’s “Day of Action.”

Earlier this month, O’Brien won the seat after his predecessor, Republican Tim Stewart, opted not to seek re-election. O’Brien had lost by a small margin to Stewart in the 2009 mayoral election.

O’Brien was sworn in as the town’s first Democratic mayor in eight years last Monday.

Cohen has reportedly been working for the Connecticut Center for a New Economy since 2007.

CBS Connecticut reached out to O’Brien’s office, the New Britain Police Department, and Occupy Hartford representatives for further comment.