This week, State Representatives gathered to discuss a bill aimed at enforcing harsh and harmful penalties on protesters who block traffic. Yet, another move that seems to directly target actions against the Black Lives Matter movement. Mostly women and minority law makers argued that this bill would “disproportionately criminalize folks who were practicing their first amendment rights.” During the discussions against this bill, many female lawmakers spoke and made passionate speeches on protecting and not criminalizing protesters; however, many of their white, male counterparts decided to excuse themselves from the room during their heartfelt speeches.
In response to the her frustrations of fellow legislators leaving the room during these passionate speeches, the minority leader, Melissa Hortman said, “I hate to break up the 100 percent, white male card game in the retiring room, but i think this is is an important debate.” Hortman went on to call out her male colleagues for ignoring female colleagues, especially, women of color.
State Rep. Bob Dettmer (R) took offense to Hortman’s comments and asked for an apology, he stated,“I respect everybody. But I really believe the comments that were made by the minority leader were really not appropriate. Minority leader, would you apologize to the body?”
In response to a request to apologize, minority leader Hortman replied:
“I have no intention of apologizing, I am so tired of watching Rep. Susan Allen give an amazing speech, Rep. Peggy Flanagan give an amazing speech, watching Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn give an amazing speech, Rep. Rena Moran give the most heartfelt, incredible speech I’ve heard on this House floor, as long as I can remember, watching Rep. Ilhan Omar give an amazing speech … and looking around, to see, where are my colleagues? And I went in the retiring room, and I saw where a bunch of my colleagues were. And I’m really tired of watching women of color, in particular, being ignored. So, I’m not sorry.”
Watch the full exchange below.
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