Pro-Choice Speaker Dragged out of Senate Meeting In Texas

[blueboatdreams]

Pro-choice advocate Sarah Slamen tried to give her testimony in the Texas State Senate this morning about a proposed bill that would not allow abortions after 20 weeks, even in the cases of rape and incest.

However, during her speech Slamen was taken out of the building by state troopers for calling out Texas State Senator Donna Campbell (R) for

Comments

[lone_concertina]

I fully support her testimony and am glad she had the bravery to call Dr. Donna out on her shit, but she knew she would be pulled out when she started. There's a very strictly followed rule of decorum in Texas state politics, which has been explained to me every time I've shown up to protest. She wasn't arrested and, from what friends who were there have told me, the DPS officers were friendly once she was out of the room.

[rhysande]

Would you mind expanding on what Ms. Slamen did or said that put her in violation of the rules of decorum? When I first watched the video I assumed it was because she dared to speak the *gasp!* words "chlamydia" and "herpes" in her speech, but I did wonder if it because she veered from her original remarks or something else.

[lone_concertina]

It was the manner in which she addressed the senators. So basically, being confrontational, I guess? I'm not saying I agree with it at all, but we weren't even allowed to golf clap or use "jazz hands" in the Senate gallery whenever someone said something we agreed with or else we'd be escorted out.

[crossfire]

This is good to know, thank you.

[rhysande]

MSNBC's The Last Word has an interview with Sarah Slamen concerning her removal from the Texas Senate here:

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45755883/ns/msnbc-the_last_word/vp/52446718/#52446718

IMO she makes several very good points in the interview, not the least of which was her objection to the rude and insulting manner in which anti-choice proponents had addressed pro-choice supporters throughout the day without any censoring from the committee.

[lone_concertina]

That's different than speaking that way to a senator, though. Again, I'm not saying I agree with it, but Texas state legislators want to be treated like king shit of fuck mountain at all times and that's been the way it's handled for as long as I can remember.

[rhysande]

I don't disagree with your reasoning. However, it's rather hypocritical to object to disrespectful speech directed at them when they a.) engage in it themselves and b.) don't object to it when it's directed at others. I'm getting more than a little frustrated at women getting shut down if they don't speak in the properly deferential manner and shut out if they do.

[moonshaz]

This, omg, THIS, sfm!!

[blueboatdreams]

politicians have to earn my respect. they will get what they deserve. i don't respect any position of power if it is not being used correctly.

[moonshaz]

Total agreement here!!

[grace_om]

Thanks for this link too -- I missed the segment last night.