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At least 6 arrested, trooper reportedly assaulted after Nebraska Capitol protest got violent

May 20, 2023 | | Print Article

Things turned violent at the Nebraska state capitol building on Friday when radical leftists attacked police, resulting in at least six being arrested as they protested the passage of a bill that bans abortions after 12 weeks and limits gender transition procedures for those under 19.

One woman can be seen on video footage attacking officers and punching one in the chest when he tried to stop her from pushing past him.

Debate on the floor had to be halted as the protesters screamed at lawmakers from the balcony and threw bloody tampons at them. At that point, the Legislature’s presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, ordered the balconies to be cleared for the remainder of the debate.

The Nebraska State Patrol told Fox News Digital in a press release that Lucia Salinas, 24, and Maghie Miller-Jenkins, 36, were both arrested after allegedly obstructing a government operation and disturbing the peace.

(Video Credit: 6 News WOWT)

They weren’t the only ones who wound up getting a free trip to jail over the altercations.

Mar Lee, 25, was arrested for allegedly disturbing the peace and trespassing after he refused to leave the balcony for repeatedly yelling at lawmakers. Danna Seevers, 56, who supported the bill, was also arrested for allegedly disobeying a lawful order when she refused to leave as well, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

The punching incident occurred about an hour after that when troopers attempted to arrest a man who was allegedly trying to prevent a Sgt. at Arms from opening a door at the back of the legislative chamber.

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

Buras was cuffed for resisting arrest and trespassing when he allegedly refused to comply with orders to leave. Crawford was busted for allegedly obstructing a peace officer.

The six who were taken into custody were booked into the Lancaster County Jail.

Their violent efforts were in vain. Gov. Jim Pillen (R-Neb.) fully intends to sign the bill following Republicans garnering enough votes to put an end to an 80-day filibuster.

Since the bill advanced on Tuesday, protesters have been demonstrating at the capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska but they kicked it up a notch as it neared passage. Police wound up getting into it with other protesters outside the chamber who were shouting “Shame, shame!”

The abortion ban has exceptions for rape and incest included in it. The restrictions on gender surgery for those under 19 will make very few exceptions.

Nebraska previously banned abortion at around 20 weeks. It is one of a number of red states that have recently passed abortion and transgender laws. A six-week ban on abortion failed to pass in April.

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.”

In a statement following the bill’s passing, the governor said it 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.”

Legislative Bill 574 will become law the day after the governor signs it due to an attached emergency clause.

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