Supporters of the ban saw Zephyr’s admonishment as unprecedented and personal, yet most have refrained from commenting publicly. She tweeted that she went there to show “support for those who were arrested defending democracy.” She told The Associated Press she was headed to the county jail with the protesters who were arrested. Zephyr did not return the the floor after lawmakers reconvened. Leaders cut the sound on the video feed, and Zephyr remained on the floor holding her microphone as supporters also chanted “Whose House? Our House!” The sergeant-at-arms asked Zephyr to help settle things down - a request he said she rebuffed. The disruption drew the ire of Republican leaders, who described it as a “riot” and an “insurrection.” They were going to be booked and released. Seven were arrested for criminal trespass, the sheriff said. ![]() Law enforcement escorted Zephyr’s supporters from the gallery above the House floor, including several by force. Zephyr, a first-term Democrat from Missoula, hasn’t spoken on the Statehouse floor since last Tuesday when she told Republican colleagues they would have “blood on their hands” if they banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. The interruption - hours after supporters rallied on the Capitol steps - was the latest development in a standoff over Zephyr’s remarks against lawmakers who support a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Zephyr defiantly hoisted her microphone into the air as her supporters interrupted proceedings for nearly half an hour in protest of Republicans denying her requests to speak on a proposal that would restrict when children can change the names and pronouns they use in school and require parental consent. ![]() (AP) - Montana Republicans persisted in forbidding Democratic transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr from participating in debate for a second week and her supporters brought the House session to a halt Monday - chanting “Let her speak!” from the gallery before they were escorted out. Zooey Zephyr hoists a microphone into the air on Monday, April 24, 2023, as her supporters interrupt proceedings in the state House by chanting “Let Her Speak!” in Helena, Mont.
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