Six Arrested Protesting Transgender Bathroom Bill Inside Capitol Restroom

Filmogaz.com reports that Idaho State Police arrested six people after a protest inside the state Capitol. The demonstration began when a group of 12 arrived around 1:00 p.m. and used whistles and bullhorns inside the building.

Confrontation in a Capitol restroom

Officers say the protesters entered a restroom and blocked the door with their bodies. That action prevented others from entering the facility.

Troopers issued several warnings and told the group to leave. When protesters refused, arrests followed just after 2:40 p.m.

Arrests, charges and an injury

Six people were taken into custody on misdemeanor trespass charges. One of the six was also charged with resisting arrest.

Police reported one person suffered a minor injury while being removed from the restroom. That person was transported to a hospital for treatment and then booked into the Ada County Jail.

Idaho State Police also confirmed all six arrested were adults.

Context and response

The action followed earlier demonstrations outside the governor’s office on Thursday night. Protesters had been singing outside that office the previous evening.

Organizers said the demonstrations oppose Governor Brad Little’s recent signing of House Bill 752. The law makes it a misdemeanor to enter restrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, or shower rooms designated for the opposite biological sex in government and private facilities.

Exceptions in the statute

The statute includes limited carve-outs. Those exceptions cover assisting a child and handling dire emergencies.

Keywords and reporting note

The incident shows tensions over the transgender bathroom bill and related policies. Filmogaz.com will continue covering developments related to the protest and arrests.