Gay Rights Activists Arrested At Idaho Capitol

BOISE (KTVB) - Gay rights activists once again returned to the Idaho Capitol to protest lawmakers' refusal to pass anti-discrimination protections, this time by refusing to leave the state's bill-drafting offices.

Idaho State Police arrested nine protesters Monday for trespassing after they blocked several office entrances on the first-floor of the Statehouse.

Activists taking part in the protest warned in a statement that they would not voluntarily leave until legislators consider adding four words - sexual orientation and gender identity - to the Idaho Human Rights Act.

Republican lawmakers killed legislation earlier this year that would have amended the state's Human Rights Act, which currently bans workplace and housing discrimination based on race, gender or religion.

Shortly after, police arrested 23 gay rights protesters for trespassing on the House and Senate floors.