Protesters gathered Monday at the Montana state capitol to support Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who hasnt been allowed to speak on the statehouse floor since Thursday.
Zephyr, a first-term Democrat, is the states first transgender legislator. She has been denied the opportunity to speak since last weeks debate on a proposed ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, when she told legislators they would have “blood on their hands” for passing it.
The Montana Freedom Caucus, a group of Republican lawmakers, called for her censure for “using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate,” notably misgendering her in their statement.
A video shared by the Montana Human Rights Network shows Zephyr speaking to a crowd of supporters outside the statehouse.
When those communities who see the repercussions of those bills have the audacity to stand up and say, ‘This legislation gets us killed,’ those in power aren’t content with just passing those hateful harmful bills, Zephyr said. What they are demanding is silence. We will not be complicit in our eradication.
Protesters in the gallery disrupted proceedings when Zephyr was denied the ability to speak, and some were arrested.
For the third consecutive day, I have been denied the opportunity to represent my constituents in the Montana legislature and speak on their behalf. When my constituents and community members witnessed my microphone being disabled, they courageously came forward to defend their democratic right to be heard — and some were arrested in the process,” the Missoula representative said in a statement Monday night.
“I stood by them in solidarity and will continue to do so. As an elected representative, I am devoted to supporting those who speak in defense of democracy, as it is my duty to ensure their voices are heard and respected.
