Arrived at the capitol about 7:00 PM. Nobody was being let inside. There were a growing number of protestors. People would rush to the doors if they thought it was being opened. When they realized they would not be let in, often they were started chanting "Whose house? Our House!"
A man walked by reminding us all to stay calm. He also said, "The Dems are pretty sure this is not going to hold up. Many think it's a ploy to get protestors to react poorly, to get unions to react strongly and find a way to use this against them. So stay calm. Be angry, but be peaceful. Be loud."
About 8:00 PM the doors were opened. No cops were by the doors. We were just let in. As we entered, those that were already in the capitol started clapping and cheering. More chanting, more cheering. We tried to figure out why we were let in. It seemed as if the cops just gave up and let us in.
But no, we were told the Assembly Democrats were going to hold a hearing about the bill the Senate passed. If there is a hearing in session, the capitol cannot be closed.
However, there was not a hearing room to be found. There continued to be thousands of protestors in the rotunda, chanting, cheering, thanking. The food came in. People brought in blankets. I spoke to three women who had gotten in earlier than me through a bathroom window. One of the women told me when the cops saw, they came running. Even though they were told to stop, one of the cops was smiling and said, "Ah, you might as well just get in here." And after that they shut the window.
In a small enclave, there were some people talking about making a choice to stay at the capitol or not. I was very confused (why were they talking about if we should stay or leave the capitol?). Finally, a man jumped on a megaphone and explained, for those of us that did not know what was going on, the assembly was no longer happening. Everyone was technically in there illegally.
The problem is, people were basically let in. How were they to know they were in their illegally?
I stopped another woman a little later (who was collecting signatures for a petition) and asked her if she knew any more. She said the Assembly Democrats tried to get an assembly hearing started since they were expected to vote on the bill tomorrow morning as early as possible. But "rumor goes" she stressed "that the sergeant-at-arms" denied the Democrats a chance to have an assembly hearing. Since there was no hearing, we were all there illegally. She had also heard that cops from around the state were coming to the capitol. Not really to make arrests, but just to have more of a presence.
The capitol was packed. On the way out, an officer had told us he had already worked a 12 hour shift and was going to work 12 hours tonight- 24 hours. A historic first for him.
The only thing I know is that the Assembly will more-than-likely be voting on this bill as early as possible tomorrow.
