Daylong pro-trans demonstrations boiled over Wednesday as legislators reinstated the controversial Senate Bill 150 after it was vetoed by the governor. The confrontations came to a head in the House gallery, overlooking the chamber — where Kentucky State Police and Capitol security struggled to remove protesters.
The group had been chanting loudly during the proceedings as the vote took place.
"Trans kids are under attack! What do we do? Fight back!" was the mantra as legislators explained their votes on the House floor.
KSP reports officers gave the protesters a chance to leave voluntarily without having any action taken against them, but 19 were ultimately arrested and cited with criminal trespassing.
The Herald Leaderreports House Speaker David Osborne said the removal was not at the request of House leaders, but noted that the chamber needs a "proper level of decorum."
The action followed ongoing demonstrations on Wednesday, with chants echoing through the Capitol most of the legislative day.
