After a bill that would criminalize TSA agents who carry out pat-down searches was scuttled by the Texas state Senate, a group of loud and angry protesters stormed the capitol building chanting “treason” and demanding that state lawmakers stand up to the federal government.

The bill was shelved by its senate sponsor after a U.S. attorney wrote to the legislature warning that all flights in and from Texas could be canceled if the TSA is prevented from ensuring their safety.

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Led by firebrand conservative radio host Alex Jones, the activists demanded an end to invasive searches at airports, calling Texas politicians “cowardly” for caving to federal pressure.

The Texas Tribune has more.

This video is from The Texas Tribune, published to YouTube on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this post featured a video that was removed by its user. It has been changed to a different video.