Minnesota Democratic lawmakers begin a sit-in in the state House chambers after a gun violence prevention proposal does not reach a vote. The protest follows a party-line defeat of a motion on Thursday that would have brought the measure to the floor. The sit-in is led by state Representative Samantha Sencer-Mura, according to reporting on its start time. Other accounts describe the action as beginning late Thursday night after Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth does not advance the bill for consideration.
Democrats say the protest will continue until lawmakers return for regular business at noon Saturday, with the end time tied to the speaker’s call for the House to resume activity. The House proceedings that triggered the sit-in are characterized in multiple reports as occurring along party lines, reflecting disagreement over whether and how the gun reform bill should be considered.
