Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris was denied entry at the U.S. Senate on January 6, 2009.  See video and photos here of the strange circus-like atmosphere that ensued when Burris arrived at the Capitol grounds in hopes of being sworn in as the junior senator of Illinois at the start of the 111th Congress into session.

As an appointee of the embattled Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who faces allegations trying to sell the senate seat previously held by President-elect Barack Obama, Senate leaders had asserted his appointment would be rejected.

Nancy Erickson, the Senate secretary, initially rejected Burris’ appointment Monday because his certificate of appointment was missing the signature of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, an aide to the secretary said.

White has declined to sign the certificate, siding with some Senate Democrats who say Burris should not be seated because of the cloud over Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Source: Burris turned away at Senate door

Presenting his credentials in a third-floor Capitol room where he could not be seen by the media, Roland Burris was on a floor where press photography is prohibited.

There would be no visual image of the Senate’s rejection of the disputed appointee from Illinois, whom Senate leaders refused to seat because of the “cloud” surrounding the Illinois governor who appointed him.

But Burris – appearing calm, and accepting no questions — left the secretary’s office at 10:50 am EST escorted by the sergeant at arms, ushering him to an elevator as Capitol police barred photographers from snapping shots.

Once he was escorted out of the building by the sergeant at arms, Terrance Gainer, Burris held a brief press conference on the Capitol grounds.

“My name is Roland Burris, the junior Senator from the State of Illinois,” Burris told reporters later as he stood in the rain in a park outside the Capitol. “I was advised that my credentials were not in order.”

The former attorney general of Illinois said he would take legal action, challenging the Senate’s refusal, but averted any showdown at the door of the Senate chambers. “I am not seeking to have any kind of confrontation,” Burris added.

Off the Capitol grounds where his entry to the Senate had been refused, Burris was left to his own – the Capitol police who had escorted him away from the Capitol leaving him to a press conference in the park.

A podium was set up in a park across the street from the Capitol outside the Russell Office Building.

Timothy W. Wright, a lawyer for Burris, said: “We have presented our credentials to the Secretary of the Senate… Our credentials were rejected by the secretary… We were not allowed to proceed to the floor… ” He, too, vowed to fight the case.

Source:  Roland Burris v Senate: Showdown live: The Swamp – visit to read  live blogging of the events as they unfolded.

Photo credit: Getty Images North America

Here is video of the Roland Burris press conference on January 6, 2008.

Watch several more videos of the Roland Burris senate seat denial at CBS2Chicago.com

Here is video of the December 30, 2008 press conference in which Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Roland Burris’ appointment, with an appearance from Congressman Bobby Rush.

Roland Burris Senate Seat Denial Video, Photos 1-6-09 pics pictures