The incident in which a woman allegedly punched a trooper in the chest was caught on security video

My cmnt: Holy Socks Coach! What the banner should have said:

A wild mob of Biden voters tried to overthrow the Nebraska state legislature in a violent insurrection amid terroristic threats and mayhem

By Brie Stimson | Fox News – May 19, 2023 – for Fox news

Woman punches Nebraska trooper amid protests over controversial abortion, transgender bill debate

At least six people were arrested at the Nebraska state capital Friday after protests broke out over a bill passed that bans abortions after 12 weeks and restricts gender transition procedures for those under 19

At least six people were arrested at the Nebraska state capital Friday after protests broke out as lawmakers passed a bill that bans abortions after 12 weeks and restricts gender transition procedures for those under 19.

Debate was stopped briefly around 2:40 p.m. while arrests took place in a chamber balcony where those opposing the controversial bill yelled and threw what appeared to be bloody tampons onto the legislative floor. The balconies were cleared for the remainder of the debate. 

Lucia Salinas, 24, and Maghie Miller-Jenkins, 36, were arrested for allegedly obstructing a government operation and disturbing the peace, the Nebraska State Patrol said in a release sent to Fox News Digital. 

Mar Lee, 25, was arrested for allegedly disturbing the peace and trespassing after he refused to leave the balcony for repeatedly yelling. Danna Seevers, 56, who was on the opposite balcony for people who supported the bill, was also arrested for allegedly disobeying a lawful order when she also refused to leave, the state patrol said.

A protester allegedly punched a trooper during a protest at Nebraska’s capital during debate over a controversial bill. (Nebraska capital security camera)

About an hour later, as troopers were attempting to take a man who was allegedly trying to prevent a Sgt. at Arms from opening a door at the back of the legislative chamber into custody, a woman punched a trooper in the chest when he prevented her from pushing past him. 

Benjamin Buras, 40, and Sara Crawford, 33, were both arrested in that incident. 

Buras was arrested for resisting arrest and trespassing after officers say he didn’t comply with orders to leave. Crawford was arrested for allegedly obstructing a peace officer.

All six were booked into the Lancaster County Jail.  

Protesters at the Nebraska capital demonstrating against the anti-abortion and child molestation bill that passed Friday. (AP Photo/Nick Ingram)

Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he plans to sign the controversial bill that passed after Republicans got enough votes to end a filibuster. 

Protesters have been demonstrating at the capital in Lincoln, Nebraska this week since lawmakers advanced the bill on Tuesday. 

More videos on social media appeared to show police clashing with other protesters outside the chamber whose chants of “Shame, shame!” could be heard by voting lawmakers. 

Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh speaking during debate on the anti-abortion and child molestation bill that was passed.  (AP Photo/Nick Ingram)

The 12-week abortion ban has exceptions for rape and incest and wouldn’t allow transgender people under 19 years old to undergo gender surgery but with few exceptions. 

Nebraska currently bans abortion around 20 weeks and is one of multiple states that has recently passed abortion and transgender laws. Last month, a proposed six-week ban failed to advance. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Six arrested at Nebraska Capitol amid debate over abortion, gender-affirming care

by Andrew Wegley – May 19, 2023 – Lincoln Journal Star

Before Nebraska lawmakers gave their final approval Friday to a controversial bill that will ban some gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth and outlaw abortions after 12 weeks, the State Patrol arrested six protesters at the statehouse.

While senators were debating the bill, two people — a 24-year-old from Omaha and a 36-year-old from Lincoln — threw objects over the balcony onto the floor of the Legislature. Both were arrested on suspicion of obstructing a government operation and disturbing the peace.

Another person — a 25-year-old from Lincoln — was yelling repeatedly and refused law enforcement orders to leave the balcony. They were arrested on suspicion of disturbing the peace and trespassing.

The Legislature’s presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, then ordered the balconies to be cleared for the remainder of debate. One woman — a 56-year-old from Seward — refused to leave and was arrested on suspicion of disobeying a lawful order.

Then at about 3:25 p.m., a State Patrol trooper observed a person intentionally preventing a sergeant-at-arms from opening a door at the back of the legislative chamber. The trooper told the man to leave the area, and after he did not comply the trooper attempted to arrest him. The man — a 40-year-old from Lincoln — resisted and was eventually arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and trespassing.

As troopers were attempting to take the man into custody, a woman — a 33-year-old from Lincoln — approached and tried to push past another trooper. The trooper held her back, at which point she punched the trooper in the chest. She was then arrested on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer.

All six were lodged in the Lancaster County Jail.

After the arrests, 33 senators voted to shut off a filibuster and send the bill (LB754) that prompted Friday’s protests to Republican Gov. Jim Pillen for his signature.

In a tweet Friday afternoon, Pillen thanked the Capitol Security troopers for “keeping our senators, legislative staff members, and our citizenry safe while they gathered to exercise their First Amendment rights.”

And in a statement following the bill’s passing, Pillen said the bill would allow trans youth in Nebraska to “grow and explore who they are” without first making “irreversible decisions that should be made when they are fully grown.”

Because the bill has an emergency clause attached, LB574 will become law a day after Pillen signs it.

When it does, gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under 19 would be outlawed in Nebraska, and the Department of Health and Human Services would be required to develop regulations for puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

As amended earlier this week, the bill also bans abortions after 12 weeks gestational age, which is marked from a woman’s last menstrual period. That’s about 10 weeks after fertilization.

Opponents raised concerns about the lack of exceptions for fetal anomalies, and that the amendment did not remove criminal penalties for abortion from state statute.

Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, the chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, told Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, who raised those concerns, that he would work to remove those criminal penalties in a future legislative session.

An amendment from Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont would have changed 12 weeks gestational age to 12 weeks post fertilization and added “fetal anomalies incompatible with life” to the bill. But that amendment was not considered on Friday.

 Mack and Billie Douglass of Lincoln console each other after senators passed a bill limiting gender-affirming care and abortion in Nebraska. Hundreds of protesters again gathered in the Rotunda on Friday for votes on the bill.JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Madison Tewes of Lincoln protests against LB574 Friday at the Capitol.JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Juju Tyner of Lincoln (right) leads the singing of Over the Rainbow during a protest in the Capitol of LB574 on Friday.JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

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Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

Journal Star reporter Chris Dunker contributed to this story.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

Journal Star reporter Chris Dunker contributed to this story. 

Readers’ comments

• Mick Lindgren 17 seconds ago The debate is NOT over abortion and gender-affirming care – it is over the killing of the unborn and monstrous surgical child abuse.ReplyShare
  • Mike Stalder 2 hours ago Goodness sakes it’s like January 6 all over again!And here’s a thought, just take a pregnancy test every 6-8 weeks and you can get that baby out under the 12 weeks. Reply41Share
  • Glenn Coles 1 hour ago Or hey, perhaps take some responsibility and practice safe sex. Reply3Share
• Glenn Cole s1 hour ago Thank God NSP was able to avoid a violent insurrection. I hope those terrorists are prosecuted. Reply2Share
• Buttercup Penzance 1 hour ago They aren’t going to be able to prove last menstral cycle. Reply3Share
  • Glenn Coles 1 hour ago Good luck. 😂Reply1Share