Sunday, August 27, 2023

Silenced!

But that wasn’t the end of it, now that the dust has settled the charges are dropped.
AP News
BY AMY BETH HANSON
August 23, 2023


Montana prosecutors are declining to pursue misdemeanor trespassing charges against seven people who were arrested in the state House gallery for protesting after Republicans denied transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr the right to debate bills near the end of the 2023 legislative session.

The Lewis and Clark County Attorney’s Office filed motions in Justice Court to dismiss the charges “in the best interests of justice.” A justice of the peace signed three of the seven motions on Tuesday, court officials said. The remaining four were signed Wednesday.

Zephyr’s silencing drew scores of protesters to the state Capitol and renewed nationwide debates about manners in politics. It also took place as conservative lawmakers nationwide have introduced a flurry of anti-LGBTQ+ bills this year.
Now if this was Florida the governor would be having a hissy fit over this and fire the prosecutor but it is too soon to see what is going to happen in Montana.
House Speaker Matt Regier did not immediately respond to a phone message Wednesday seeking comment on the dismissals. But Republican House leadership at the time described the disruption as a “riot” and an “ insurrection " that put lawmakers and staff in danger. No property damage or threats to lawmakers were reported.
Once again Republican lawmakers lied and saner heads prevailed.

Well the Republicans seek to override the prosecutors and if they do would that be political interference with our legal system... naw the Republicans will never do anything like that... would thy?

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