Six people were arrested at the State Capitol Friday, during the state legislature’s debate on the Let Them Grow Act.
At 2:40 p.m. during final debate on LB 574 several spectators on the opponent balcony began yelling, two people threw objects over the balcony onto the legislative floor.
Those individuals, Lucia Salinas, 24, of Omaha, and Maghie Miller-Jenkins, 36, of Lincoln, were arrested for obstructing a government operation and disturbing the peace. Another individual, identified as Mar Lee, 25, of Lincoln, was yelling repeatedly and refused to follow orders to leave the balcony. Lee was arrested for disturbing the peace and trespassing.
Balconies were ordered to be cleared for the remainder of the debate. One woman on the proponent balcony refused to leave and did not comply to troopers repeated orders to vacate. Danna Seevers, 56, of Seward, was arrested for disobeying a lawful order.
At approximately 3:25 p.m., a trooper observed a person intentionally preventing a legislative Sgt. At Arms from opening a door in the rear of the legislative chamber. The man refused to leave the area and was non-compliant to orders to leave the capitol. The trooper attempted to place the man under arrest and the subject resisted. Another trooper arrived to assist taking the subject into custody. The man, Benjamin Buras, 40, of Lincoln, was arrested for resisting arrest and trespassing.
As troopers were attempting to take Buras into custody, a woman approached and tried to push past another trooper. The trooper held her back, at which time the woman punched the trooper in the chest. She was immediately taken into custody. Sara Crawford, 33, of Lincoln, was arrested for obstructing a peace officer.
All six were lodged in Lancaster County Jail.
