Protesters Removed After Disrupting Debate On FL Abortion Bill

February 18th, 2021 Updated 8:31 A.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FCV) – Late Wednesday evening, left-wing protestors inside the State House of Representatives temporarily halted proceedings in the final moments of debate on Florida’s proposed bill, HB 5, which would effectively ban abortion after 15 weeks. 

The protestors could be heard loudly screaming slogans often found on bumper stickers such as, “My body, my choice.” The same phrase that is now ironically being used by many protesting vaccine mandates.

The leftist group’s incessant yelling and growing volatility became so disruptive that House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R) decided to gavel the session into a temporary recess until order could be restored.   

State Capitol Police ordered the protestors to leave the chambers and gallery. Many, however, refused to comply and were forcibly removed by police. 25 individuals received trespass notices barring them from the State House for a year.

Police also made one arrest: Lauren Brenzel, statewide organizing director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates was arrested by police and charged with ‘providing a false name to Police while lawfully detained.’

After the chaotic scene in the House was quelled by law enforcement, HB 5 passed almost completely along party lines. House Speaker Sprowls stated, “It’s completely and utterly inappropriate to have an outburst like that disrupt the people’s business.” 

The bill now lies in the hands of the State Senate and if passed is expected to be signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and would take effect on July 1st of this year.