The Nebraska State Patrol on Friday detained at least six people at the State Capitol while LB 574 was being debated on the Legislature floor. The bill concerns transgender medical treatment for those under 19 years of age and abortion after 12 weeks. According to police authorities, the arrests were made for incidents that took place inside the Capitol building.
According to the authorities' statement, the police intervention began when several people attending the debate started shouting from the observers' balcony. The tension escalated when some objects were thrown at the legislators from said balcony. At that time, the police arrested two activists allegedly responsible for these events. Lucia Salinas, 24, and Maghie Miller-Jenkins, 36, were arrested on charges of obstructing a government operation and disorderly conduct. A third woman was arrested for similar charges.
Troopers arrested six people at the Nebraska State Capitol building today for various offenses, including this incident caught on a security camera in which a person punched a Trooper.
No injuries to anyone involved.
Details: https://t.co/QMzTjpAt6u pic.twitter.com/6ceBTA3UGz
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) May 20, 2023
State Patrol officers were then ordered to vacate the balconies of the Legislature's chamber. It was then that the protests moved to the halls of the Capitol. Several scuffles broke out between Capitol guards and activists who began to enter the building with the intention of disrupting the vote on LB 574.
Amazing Grace - a moment of joy on a tragic day.
Queer joy will not be eradicated.
Queer joy will not be defeated.
Nebraska will be for everyone. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/o7sGYvpCJj
— Jayden Speed (@jaydenlspeed) May 19, 2023
After several minutes of police action, the Nebraska State Patrol managed to evacuate the protesters, who continued the protests from outside and the entrance lobby of the Capitol.
Nebraska set to join states who banned trans treatment for minors
The vote on the bill resulted in favor of the initiative presented by the Republicans. At the end of the session, the it was sent to the governor's office to obtain his signature and take the final step to becoming law. Republican Jim Pillen has already assured that the bill will receive his signature. Nebraska is thus set to join the states that prohibit gender reassignment treatments for minors.
