Former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning was among a group of activists arrested outside House Speaker Mike Johnson's office in a protest advocating for transgender rights. The protest, which took place at the Cannon House Office Building, was in response to Johnson's support for a GOP-led effort to ban transgender women from using women's restrooms at the US Capitol.
Manning, a transgender woman, emphasized the importance of dignity and respect for all individuals, stating, 'Every person deserves dignity and respect, both in daily life and in symbolic places like the U.S. Capitol.' She expressed solidarity with the transgender community and highlighted the power and resilience within the community.
The protest occurred following a resolution filed by GOP Rep. Nancy Mace to prevent transgender women from using women's bathrooms in the US Capitol. This move came after Democratic Rep.-elect Sarah McBride made history as the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress.
Approximately 15 people were arrested by the US Capitol Police during the protest, as it is illegal to demonstrate inside congressional office buildings or the US Capitol. Protestors voiced their concerns, with chants such as 'Democrats, grow a spine, trans lives are on the line.'
Manning, known for leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks in 2013, had her sentence commuted by then-President Barack Obama in 2017. She participated in the protest as a member of the transgender community, standing in solidarity with fellow activists.
