Protesters blocked from entering Capitol while Senate candidate hobnobs with lawmakers

State troopers rushed to block demonstrators from entering the state Capitol on Monday. Meanwhile on the inside of the building, U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty pressed the flesh with Republican lawmakers inside the building.

Great visit to the Tennessee State Capitol this evening. Our Republican majority is hard at work representing our conservative Tennessee values. pic.twitter.com/pQTpxPvR9U

— Bill Hagerty (@BillHagertyTN) June 15, 2020

The protesters were given several reasons for why the couldn’t attend Monday’s floor session, including that House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) had closed the building to visitors and that the THP was concerned protesters had previously been involved in defacing the building. The Senate side of the Capitol complex has been closed to all visitors since the General Assembly returned from its coronavirus hiatus.

HAPPENING NOW: Troopers rush to block protesters from coming up to the Tennessee Capitol. At least one person is handcuffed. pic.twitter.com/HpsGcmZTAa

— Natalie Allison (@natalie_allison) June 15, 2020

Later on Monday night, 21 protesters were removed from the Capitol complex for violating a camping ban.