OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma House of Representatives is setting the record straight after a tweet, made by former President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., claimed an insurrection at the Oklahoma Capitol.
FOX23 was at the capitol Monday for Governor Stitt’s State of the State address. FOX23 witnessed a loud but peaceful protest in the public rotunda of the capitol.
Daniel Seitz, a communications director for the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus, tweeted out a statement Wednesday saying the House “welcomes all who want to come to the people’s house to peacefully protest, regardless of the subject matter. The Oklahoma House will support and defend the Frist Amendment rights of all who come to have their voices heard. Regarding Monday’s protest, there were no reported incidents or unlawful behavior and any national narrative to the contrary is false.”
Trans people have a right to live free from discrimination — and we won't settle for less. #OKleg pic.twitter.com/m3WJrCrd5i
— ACLU of Oklahoma (@ACLUOK) February 6, 2023
This response coming after a tweet from Donald Trump Jr. Tuesday showing video from the Oklahoma Capitol as people chant “trans lives matter”. The former president’s son compared the event to the U.S. Capitol insurrection that happened Jan. 6, 2021. The video he shared had 7.8 million views as of Wednesday at noon.
I guess it’s not an insurrection if Trans Lives Matter takes over and occupies the Oklahoma capital… apparently the best part of equality is not having to abide by the same rules as others. pic.twitter.com/8BcflEKjDX
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 7, 2023
The Justice Department says the Jan. 6 insurrection caused $1.5 million in damages to our country’s capitol, more than a hundred police officers were hurt and seven people were killed. There were more than 700 federal cases against people involved in the insurrection, including 7 from Oklahoma.
In December a U.S. House committee recommended four criminal charges for former President Trump, Donald Trump Jr.’s father, for his part in the incident. The Department of Justice will make its own decision on whether to continue pursing charges.
In comparison the Oklahoma House said in their statement “Regarding Monday’s protest, there were no reported incidents or unlawful behavior”. FOX23 also observed protesters allowing Senators to safely move from the Senate chamber to the House chamber to attend the State of the State address.
State Senator Greg McCortney (R) tweeted he did not feel threatened, and the protesters were more than welcome at the Capitol even if he planned on voting for the bills they were protesting.
I’ve got friends checking my safety…
— Greg McCortney (@gmccortney) February 8, 2023
They didn’t storm. They didn’t occupy. Protestors come almost every day; this group was not near the loudest. Unlike other days, I never felt unsafe. I will be voting for the bill they protest against, but happy to allow voices to be heard. https://t.co/RS2tQBEqK9
The Oklahoma Capitol protest was in response to multiple bills in Oklahoma seeking to restrict transgender health care access.
>>> Oklahoma House Bill 1011: prohibits transition procedures to those under 21
>>> Oklahoma Senate Bill 129: prohibits transition procedures to those under 26
>>> Oklahoma Senate Bill 251: narrows gender definition to male and female only
>>> Oklahoma Senate Bill 252: prohibits transition procedures for those under 18
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