SOUTH PORTLAND – Four Harvard University students have been charged after refusing to leave a military recruiting center in South Portland where they were protesting the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Police said between 20 and 30 people were inside and outside the recruiting center when they were called Wednesday morning. When police told the group to leave, four people refused and were charged with criminal trespassing.

Jacob Reitan, one of the students who was arrested, said he tried to sign up for the Army but didn’t want to hide the fact that he is gay. He said the military needs to change its policy.