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At least six people were arrested at the Nebraska state capitol building Friday after protests broke out as lawmakers passed a bill that bans abortions after 12 weeks and restricts gender transition procedures for those under 19.
Debate was stopped briefly around 2:40 p.m. while arrests took place in a chamber balcony where those opposing the controversial bill yelled and threw what appeared to be bloody tampons onto the legislative floor. The balconies were cleared for the remainder of the debate.
Lucia Salinas, 24, and Maghie Miller-Jenkins, 36, were arrested for allegedly obstructing a government operation and disturbing the peace, the Nebraska State Patrol said in a release sent to Fox News Digital.
Mar Lee, 25, was arrested for allegedly disturbing the peace and trespassing after he refused to leave the balcony for repeatedly yelling. Danna Seevers, 56, who was on the opposite balcony for people who supported the bill, was also arrested for allegedly disobeying a lawful order when she also refused to leave, the state patrol said.
About an hour later, as troopers were attempting to take a man who was allegedly trying to prevent a Sgt. at Arms from opening a door at the back of the legislative chamber into custody, a woman punched a trooper in the chest when he prevented her from pushing past him.
Benjamin Buras, 40, and Sara Crawford, 33, were both arrested in that incident.
Conservative Nebraska lawmakers are expected to have just enough votes to pass a bill Friday that combines a ban on gender surgery for minors with a 12-week abortion ban.