"Capitol 13" to plead not guilty for gay rights protest (Salt Lake City)

[theHandpuppet]

‘Capitol 13? to plead not guilty for gay rights protest
August 28, 2014
by Ben Winslow

SALT LAKE CITY — Members of the so-called “Capitol 13,” who blocked access to a committee meeting at the Utah State Legislature in protest of a gay-rights bill that had been killed, intend to plead not guilty to misdemeanor charges...

...On Feb. 10, a group of gay rights activists blockaded the entrance to the governor’s office in support of SB 100, which would have provided protections in housing and employment that included sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, and Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, was never heard because lawmakers refused to consider any LGBT-related bills while the state appealed the ruling that struck down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage.

After Utah Highway Patrol troopers refused to arrest the group, they moved to a legislative committee room, where they prevented people from getting in. After a heated confrontation with lawmakers, the 13 were placed in handcuffs.

The Salt Lake City Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment on the charges Thursday. The group is due to make their first court appearance Sept. 26.

MORE at http://fox13now.com/2014/08/28/capitol-13-to-plead-not-guilty-for-gay-rights-protest/