Three people were arrested this weekend in St. Louis during a demonstration against a proposed bathroom bill.

Last week, a Missouri Senate committee heard testimony on SB 98, which would require students in public schools to use facilities that correspond to the gender listed on their birth certificate. On Saturday, at least 1,500 people gathered downtown to show solidarity with the trans community.



The arrests occurred as the rally died down but hundreds of protestors continued marching in the streets, reportedly causing traffic concerns. According to witnesses, demonstrators were walking toward and chanting at officers on bicycles. Edward Pingleton, 21, is accused of jumping on the back of an officer trying to arrest a protester, and attempting to punch another officer from behind.

Aideen O’Brien, a 19-year-old trans woman, faces charges of fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest for jumping on an officer and refusing to put her hands behind her back during her arrest. (There are reports she was placed in a men’s holding cell.)

Trans woman released says COs repeatedly threatened to put trans women in w/ drunk, catcalling cis men@DarVeron @southards_3 @erinsometimes — Heather ♿ (@MissJupiter1957) February 26, 2017

A third person was issued a summons for resisting arrest and “interfering with a police officer,” but released.

Democratic mayoral candidate Antonio French said on Twitter that he was disturbed by accounts of the incident and will be “seeking answers” from authorities.

Disturbed by reports of how LGBTQ protestors were treated today. I'll be seeking answers from @ChiefSLMPD. I stand with the LGBTQ community. https://t.co/0EYCUHGWKo — Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) February 26, 2017

Senator Ed Emery (R-Lamar), who is sponsoring SB 98, says it would protect transgender students’ privacy and provide better guidelines for schools on accommodating them. Unlike North Carolina’s HB2, the measure only addresses grades K-12, not all public facilities.

The bill’s chances are questionable, though, as Republican lawmakers have indicated they believe school districts should assess the situation individually. Last week, the White House rescinded Obama-era protections for trans students, declaring it was a “state issue.”



“Whether or not this bill was being considered in our Legislature, LGBT rights in Missouri are under attack,” demonstration co-organizer Aaron Laxton told KWMU. “Hopefully it dies in committee and doesn’t move any farther.”