7 Arrested for Protesting Silencing of Trans Lawmaker

“Law enforcement officials arrested seven people accused of interrupting proceedings in the Montana Capitol on Monday to protest the silencing of state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D), a transgender lawmaker who has not been allowed to speak on the House floor since Thursday,” the Washington Post reports.

“Chants of ‘Let her speak!’ rang out inside the gallery as the Republican majority voted to block Zephyr from debating legislation. The moment marked an escalation in tensions that have been building since last week, when a group of GOP lawmakers demanded Zephyr’s censure following her impassioned plea to reject the governor’s amendments to a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors.”

“While Zephyr wasn’t formally censured, Republican House leaders have declined to recognize her on the floor for three days, during which her microphone was disabled as other lawmakers debated.”