There wasn’t an insurrection at Oklahoma’s capitol, Gov. Stitt says.

Ben Felder, Oklahoman
·2 min read
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Gov. Kevin Stitt referred to a Monday protest inside the state Capitol as "no big deal," refuting comparisons some have tried to make between the demonstration and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

On Monday, as the state Legislature began a new session, Oklahomans protesting anti-transgender bills gathered inside the state Capitol, chanting "trans lives matter."

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A short video of the protest was circulated online and shared on Twitter by Donald Trump Jr., son of the former president, who complained of a double standard.

"I guess it’s not an insurrection if Trans Lives Matter takes over and occupies the Oklahoma capital… apparently the best part of equality is not having to abide by the same rules as others," Trump tweeted.

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On Jan. 6, 2021, Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, illegally entering offices and threatening to execute members of Congress.

But Stitt, a Republican, said Monday's protest at the Oklahoma Capitol was peaceful.

"It was no big deal. It wasn't like they tore anything up or broke into the Capitol or anything like that," Stitt said Tuesday when asked about the protest on a national radio show.

Stitt said there were no arrests and the protestors had a permit to be on the second floor.

At one point, the crowd moved to the fourth floor where they began shouting, but Stitt said state troopers asked them to quiet down while lawmakers gathered nearby. The crowd complied, Stitt said.

Trans supporters rally on Monday outside of the state Capitol before the start of the Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt's State of the State speech to the joint session.
Trans supporters rally on Monday outside of the state Capitol before the start of the Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt's State of the State speech to the joint session.

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"There was never any danger for the citizens of Oklahoma or the Capitol," Stitt said.

Leaders in the Oklahoma House of Representatives also said Monday's protest had "no reported incidents or unlawful behavior and any national narrative to the contrary is false," according to Daniel Seitz, a spokesperson for House Republicans.

People hold signs at a trans support rally before the start of the Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt's State of the State speech to the joint session on Monday.
People hold signs at a trans support rally before the start of the Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt's State of the State speech to the joint session on Monday.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gov. Stitt says transgender rights protest at Okla. Capitol peaceful