At least 15 activists were arrested by U.S. Capitol Police after they staged a sit-in on Dec. 5 to protest House Speaker Mike Johnson’s policy banning transgender people from using the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity. was arrested.
The group, which includes former U.S. Army soldier Chelsea Manning and Gender Liberation Movement co-founder Raquel Willis, hung a pink banner reading “Flush Toilet Bias” in front of a kiosk in a women’s restroom. .
The group then moved to Johnson’s Capitol office and sat on the floor in protest as a group of men and non-binary allies unfurled yellow banners. “Congress: Stop being angry about our rights!” the banner read.
Protesters chanted, “Chairman Johnson, Nancy Mace, our gender is not up for debate!” Prime Minister Johnson introduced new rules in response to the Mace resolution banning transgender women, specifically incoming U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Delaware), from women-only spaces in the Capitol. I mentioned the fact that it was imposed. .
Under this rule, all persons seeking access to multi-purpose restrooms, locker rooms, and locker rooms must only use facilities that correspond to the gender assigned at birth. McBride, the first transgender member of Congress, said she would abide by the policy.
Meanwhile, Mace has introduced a bill that would extend the Capitol bathroom ban to all public buildings on federal land nationwide.
Questions remain about how the Capitol bathroom policy will be enforced. Especially since most transgender restroom users do not engage in public acts of civil disobedience or draw attention to themselves when they try to use facilities that align with their gender identity. .
“Everyone has the right to use the restroom without fear of discrimination or violence,” Willis said in a statement. defender. “Transgender people are no different. We deserve dignity and respect, and we will fight until we get it.”
“The 2024 election will see nearly $200 million in attack ads spread across the country, leaving transgender people to fend for themselves,” Willis told the publication. is trying to remove us from public life, but the public The leaders of the major parties are silent as hell, but bigotry and hatred cannot change by doing nothing. We have to stand up and filibuster it. We must stop this bill.”
Manning, a former U.S. military intelligence analyst who was imprisoned for seven years for leaking classified files on U.S. overseas military operations to WikiLeaks, was released after then-President Obama commuted his sentence, but he did not accept gender affirmation until now. He recalled his own hardships. Caring for her while she is incarcerated and ensuring that her gender identity is valid.
“I’m here today because every person deserves dignity and respect, both in their everyday lives and in iconic places like the U.S. Capitol,” she said. “As someone who has fought similar rules, I know what it feels like to feel sidelined and erased. But I also know the incredible strength and resilience of our communities. We didn’t start this fight, but we’re together now.”
Mace has taken on a role as a champion for women in recent movements. She mocked Manning on social media. write to X, “From leaking state secrets to leaks in women’s restrooms, nothing seems to work.”
Mace too photographed myself Outside the Capitol police headquarters, he used a bullhorn to read Miranda warnings to protesters who had been arrested.
what is this @RepNancyMace She used a bullhorn to read a Miranda warning to protesters who came to the Capitol today to protest the bathroom bill.
It seems that a demonstration is currently being held outside Mace’s office. pic.twitter.com/Hn67i7Bg5o
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) December 5, 2024
A spokesperson for the Gender Liberation Movement said: defender Those arrested shall remain in custody.
The sit-in came a day after another group of transgender activists and their supporters filmed themselves dancing to the song “Meeting in the Ladies Room” in the women’s restroom at the Capitol. They were also protesting a ban on transgender bathrooms. But no one was arrested by Capitol Police, despite drawing the ire of right-wing commenters on social media.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
