Special session draws in protests

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Ralliers packed the Texas State Capitol Saturday, fighting for a wide spectrum of causes.

Teachers, students and parents gathered outside the Senate chambers in protest of SB 1811. The school funding formula passed the chamber Friday night.

The whole process does wear you down, and it's easy to get discouraged," said Carolyn Foot, a librarian at Westlake High, who has attended several rallies. "But I feel like it's worth it, because we need to let them know we're voting."

Christi Upton drove down from Keller, Texas to fight for her husband's job. It will likely be cut if the new budget formula passes. She said she was still hopeful.

"I hope that it will change. I'm not dead-set on the fact the House will pass this," she said.

Meanwhile, protesters outside the capitol were fighting to get a bill passed. Representative David Simpson's bill would make TSA pat downs a crime. The bill passed the House in the regular session, before the federal government threatened to halt flights out of the state if it was enacted. The bill stalled in the Senate.

"They're really wanting the governor to add this legislation, like he has others over the past few days to the call, so the dignity and freedom of travelers in Texas can be protected," Representative Simpson said.

Damion Lupo said he supports the bill because he's had to go through one of the pat downs.

"It's embarrassing. it's humiliating. I think a lot of people don't realize until it happens to them how ridiculous it is, but it's our rights just being squashed," said Lupo. "This is a step in that right direction, and letting those people who are supposed to represent us know we want them to stand up to the federal government."

At the same time, a protest was unfolding inside the Capitol rotunda for the right to dance.

"We've decided that we've gotta dance. And if dancing is illegal, then we're a little devastated," said Chanda Seymour.

The rally was in response to the United States Park Police arresting dancers in the Jefferson Memorial in May. A federal judge said dancing and protesting is off limits in the monument.

"If we don't fight for our rights. If we dont stand up for our rights. We lose them," said Seymour.