Montana Protesters Supporting Transgender Lawmaker Arrested
Newsweek in an email that Montana Highway Patrol arrested seven people at the state Capitol, who were subsequently charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass.
The protest became rowdy inside the House galley when Zephyr was yet again denied a turn to speak on the House floor. Those arrested were not required to post bond and were released, Dutton said.Zephyr, a Missoula Democrat, was barred on Thursday from engaging in debate or commenting on bills on the House floor after Republican House Speaker Matt Regier said her comments about a bill aiming to ban gender-affirming care for minors was a breach of decorum.
Zephyr has since been silenced in the chamber, sparking condemnation and protests.Zephyr, the first transgender woman to be elected to the Montana state legislature, called the ordeal an "unprecedented" and "undemocratic" silencing by state Republicans.Newsweek has reached out Zephyr and Regier via email and social media for comment.A large rally was held in support of Zephyr at noon Monday on the Capitol steps, according to local news outlet Independent Record.
Following the rally, people filled the gallery of the House chamber to wait hours for Zephyr to try and speak. When she was yet again blocked, her supporters erupted with chants of, "Let her speak."Law enforcement from Montana Highway Patrol, the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office and a crowd-control division responded to the gallery, according to the Record.
