Six people were arrested after protests broke out at the Nebraska Capitol building when lawmakers passed a law banning abortions after 12 weeks.
Those opposed to the controversial ‘Let Them Grow Act’ interrupted the debate on Friday to shout and throw what appeared to be bloodied tampons on the floor.
Authorities confirmed that a state agent was attacked during the incident after a woman punched him in the chest when he stopped her from pushing past him.
The bill also restricted gender reassignment procedures for those under the age of 19, briefly halting the procedure at around 2:40 p.m.
The Nebraska State Patrol posted a video of the incident on social media, showing the incident between the demonstrator and the trooper.
Authorities confirmed that a state agent was attacked during the incident after a woman punched him in the chest when he stopped her from pushing past him
Benjamin Buras, 40, and Sara Crawford, 33, were both arrested in connection with the incident involving the trooper.
Buras was arrested for resisting arrest and trespassing, while Crawford was arrested for alleged obstruction of a peace officer.
Protesters were seen holding signs that read “Defend Trans Children,” “Hate Hate Beyond Healthcare,” and “Stop Attacks on Trans Youth.”
There were reportedly no injuries in the incident, but six people were arrested on various charges.
Lucia Salinas, 24, and Maghie Miller-Jenkins, 36, were arrested for allegedly obstructing a government operation and disturbing the peace.
Another man, Mar Lee, 25, was arrested after refusing to leave the balcony and shouting repeatedly. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and burglary.
Footage posted on social media shows police clashing with other protesters outside the venue, whose chants of “Shame, shame!” could be heard by voting legislators.
Danna Seevers, 56, who sat on the balcony for those who supported the bill, was also arrested for refusing to leave at the request of state police.
Benjamin Buras, 40, and Sara Crawford, 33, (circled) were both arrested in connection with the incident involving the trooper
Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh speaks Friday, May 19, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska, as the bill was debated
There were reportedly no injuries in the incident, but six people were arrested on various charges
After the incident, the balconies were cleared for the rest of the debate, with protesters demonstrating outside the capitol in Lincoln all week since the bill was introduced on Tuesday.
The six protesters who were arrested were imprisoned at the Lancaster County Jail, though it is unclear if they were released.
Republican Governor Jim Pillen said he plans to sign the controversial bill that passed after Republicans received enough votes to end a filibuster.
The 12-week abortion ban has exceptions for those who are victims of rape and incest, unlike other states in the US.
However, it does not allow transgender people under 19 to undergo gender reassignment, with a few exceptions.
Currently, the state bans abortions around 20 weeks and is one of a growing number of U.S. states to pass abortion and transgender laws.
Last month, a bill to ban abortions from six weeks onwards failed to pass the House.
Footage posted on social media shows police clashing with other protesters outside the venue, whose chants of “Shame, shame!” could be heard by voting legislators
The 12-week abortion ban has exceptions for those who are victims of rape and incest, unlike other states in the US.
However, it does not allow transgender people under 19 to undergo gender reassignment, with a few exceptions
It comes after North Carolina also banned most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy after the state’s Republican-controlled General Assembly successfully overrode the Democratic governor’s veto.
Cries of “shame, shame” echoed from Democrats around the Senate floor as others held up placards as the required supermajority passed the amendment.
Republicans presented the measure as a middle ground change to state law, which currently bans nearly all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Lawmakers in South Carolina are also considering new abortion limits, but it is one of the few remaining Southern states with relatively easy access to the procedure.
North Carolina doctors hold signs to protest as Republican lawmakers in North Carolina hold a vote to override Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that would ban most abortions in the state after 12 weeks
Anti-abortion protesters sit over the voting board in the Senate on Tuesday
Protesters hold signs as North Carolina Republican lawmakers hold a vote to override the veto
Under the bill set for a vote in the South Carolina House on Tuesday, access to abortion would be almost completely banned after about six weeks of pregnancy — before women often know they’re pregnant.
The South Carolina state senate previously rejected a proposal to nearly ban abortion.
Abortion is banned or severely restricted in much of the South, including a ban during pregnancy in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. In Georgia it is only allowed in the first six weeks.
The Carolinas, Florida and Virginia are now the region’s top destinations for those seeking legal abortions.
Florida has a ban that takes effect after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Under a recent law, that would be limited to six weeks pending a court ruling.