Fifteen transgender people and allies were arrested in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday after holding a sit-in a womens restroom to protest Republicans transphobic bathroom bans. Trans veteran Chelsea Manning was among the arrestees who were released after several hours.The protest, organized by the Gender Liberation Movement a grassroots organization protesting for gender rights and bodily autonomy occupied the womens restroom near the office of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), chanting, Speaker Johnson, Nancy Mace, our gender is no debate, Democrats, grow a spine! Trans rights are on the line, and the AIDS activist slogan, Act up, fight back, The 19th reported. Related Trans activists hold dance party in a Capitol womens restroom in protest of bathroom ban Eight activists entered the restroom and had a dance party. The protestors also held a bright yellow banner that said, Congress stop p**sing on our rights! and a pink and purple banner that said, Flush bathroom bigotry. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The protest began around 12:10 p.m. local time and ended 30 minutes later after the arrests, ostensibly because the demonstrators violated a D.C. ordinance against crowding, obstructing or incommoding, The Washington Blade reported. Police also threatened the protestors with possible sexual misconduct charges, Mother Jones reported.It was important to show up in a radically defiant way and let the world know, and let our electeds know, that we are not going to allow this disrespect and this disregard for our lives, Raquel Willis, co-founder of Gender Liberation Movement and one of the arrestees, said. Trans folks deserve access to the restroom like anyone else. BREAKING: Chelsea Manning is using the ladies room in the Capitol complex pic.twitter.com/vp4mz017So Pablo Manrquez (@PabloReports) December 5, 2024Manning said in a statement, As someone who has fought against similar rules, I know what its like to feel pushed aside and erased. But I also know the incredible power and resilience our community has.Im not here as a leader or a spokesperson but simply as another member of my community who shows up unconditionally to support my siblings in this fight, she added. I will stand beside them no matter what. We didnt start this fight, but we are together now.The protest was in response to Rep. Nancy Maces (R-NC) recently introduced legislation to ban trans people from using bathrooms matching their gender identity in all federal government buildings nationwide. Despite initially promising to accommodate the needs of every single personand treat all persons with dignity and respect,near the end of November, Speaker Johnson announcedthat all single-sex restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms in the Capitol buildings are reserved for individuals whose biological sex matches them. His announcement followed threats from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Maceto beat upand intimidate Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-DE), the sole transgender House member, if she tried toaccess womens spaces in the Capitol.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.