OKLAHOMA CITY — A protestor, angry over the passage of House Bill 2177, threw water on state Rep. Bob Ed Culver, and later scuffled with an unidentified Oklahoma State Trooper, Tuesday.
House Bill 2117 bans gender transition procedures for minors and adults using insurance.
The protestor was among hundreds who came to the Capitol to push back against legislation they said harms the transgender community. After the bill passed 80-18, a large group of protestors called out state lawmakers. Video from an Oklahoma City television station shows the protestor tossing what looks to be about a cup full of water on Culver, a Republican from Tahlequah.
After the protestor was ordered to leave by OHP, the video shows him scuffling with a State Trooper. The protestor was arrested and taken from the Capitol in an OHP vehicle. Culver told KFOR television that he would press charges.
“If water being thrown on me had been the extent of the action taken, I would not have given it a second thought. However, I cannot stand by while our highway patrolmen are assaulted for simply doing their jobs,” Culver said to the TV station. “Taking all of that into consideration, I have decided to press charges against the individual who assaulted me and the patrolman and will cooperate fully with the law enforcement investigation.”
House Bill 2117 now goes to the state Senate for consideration.