Bail out Montana Youth Protestors

7 people have been arrested while protesting the unconstitutional and discriminatory censorship of Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr.

Last week, Rep. Zephyr spoke honestly and passionately about the impacts of SB 99 and the other bills the Montana legislature has passed targeting transgender, nonbinary, and two spirit people. She closed her statement by saying “The only thing I will say is if you vote ‘yes’ on this bill and ‘yes’ on these amendments, I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.”

Since this statement, the speaker of the Montana House has refused to let Rep. Zephyr speak on the House floor, silencing not only her but the 11,000 Montanans she represents.

On Monday, April 24, protestors took to the Capitol building to push back against this silencing through nonviolent protest. When Matt Regier again refused to let Rep. Zephyr speak, protestors chanted “let her speak” and “whose house? Our house,” from the House gallery. Riot police were mobilized to clear the gallery.

7 people are being held in Helena. Help us get them freed! Remaining funds will go toward legal fees for those arrested.

UPDATE: All 7 arrested protestors have been released and are safe. We are still collecting funds for their legal defense costs. All donations beyond those costs will be used to establish a bail fund for future Montana protestors.

UPDATE: All funds raised are being directed to a joint bank account belonging to arrestees (whose names are not listed to protect their privacy) and managed by my partner and protestor Izzy Milch, who is listed as the fundraiser beneficiary. All legal fees for the lawyers representing the protestors will be paid directly through this account, as will travel costs for court dates in Helena.

Any remaining funds will be used– with the enthusiastic consent of the original beneficiaries– to establish a bail fund for current and future Montana activists who may need our help down the line.