People protesting vaccine exemption bill arrested outside Capitol
Newsom signs bills into law Monday evening
Updated: 5:43 PM PDT Sep 9, 2019
KCRA Staff
AS IT ALL FIRST BEGAN. >> WE NEED PEOPLE TO HOLD THE SIGNS. BRIAN: AT A TIME WHEN CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS AND STAFF SHOULD BE ARRIVING, PROTESTERS MOVED THEM. THEY ARE URGING THE GOVERNOR NOT TO SIGN SENATE BILL TO 76 AND COMPANION BILL 714. >> WE ARE HERE TO FIGHT FOR MEDICAL FREEDOM. BRIAN: THE BILLS AIM TO CLAMP DOWN ON VACCINE EXEMPTIONS. PROTESTERS, MOSTLY MOMS, LOCKS ARMS. >> THE NARRATIVE IS WE ARE VIOLENT, ANGRY TERRORISTS THAT JUST DON'T WANT TO VACCINATE OUR KIDS. BRIAN: ACCESS WAS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE NORTH STORES, BUT ACTIVISTS BLOCKED THE DRIVEWAY L
Entrances were blocked and proceedings were delayed at the California Capitol on Monday as people protested legislation that would limit medical exemptions for vaccines. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bills -- Senate Bill 276 and Senate Bill 714 -- into law Monday evening.The protests took place Monday morning and then later in the day during state Senate proceedings.At a time when lawmakers and staff members were typically arriving at the Capitol, the protesters moved in. Hundreds of demonstrators, some of whom traveled from cities outside Sacramento, converged to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to not sign SB 276 and the companion measure, SB 714. The bills are meant to clamp down on school vaccine exemptions. SB 276 would allow public health officials to investigate doctors who grant more than five medical exemptions in a year and schools with vaccination rates of less than 95%. SB 714 addresses some concerns raised by Newsom's office, including a phase-out period for medical exemptions similar to one allowed when California eliminated personal belief vaccine exemptions in 2015.The two bills are needed "so we can keep children safe from preventable diseases," Assemblymember Jim Wood, D-Santa Rosa, said.Holding signs and locking arms, protesters blocked access to the Capitol, including the driveway used by lawmakers. The California Highway Patrol arrested at least six people for blocking entry into the building. SB 276 passed the California Legislature last week. SB 714 passed the state Assembly on Monday with a 43-14 vote. The bill passed the state Senate in the afternoon with a 27-11 vote. Both bills were signed into law by 5 p.m. Monday.Earlier, Senate proceedings were delayed for more than 90 minutes when protesters unfurled an upside-down American flag from the Senate's public gallery and chanted "My kids, my choice" and "We will not comply." An apparent counterprotester unfurled a black banner reading: "We the People v. the Vaccine Extremists." About 200 protesters filled the hallway in front of the governor's office earlier in the day, asking Newsom to veto both vaccine bills. They later chanted "Where is Newsom?" and "Veto the bill" from the Senate gallery before leaving when they were threatened with arrest for an unlawful protest.Protesters then returned to the Assembly, where they continued shouting "Kill the bill" and "Protect our children" as lawmakers considered other legislation.This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest. ---The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Entrances were blocked and proceedings were delayed at the California Capitol on Monday as people protested legislation that would limit medical exemptions for vaccines.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bills -- Senate Bill 276 and Senate Bill 714 -- into law Monday evening.
The protests took place Monday morning and then later in the day during state Senate proceedings.
At a time when lawmakers and staff members were typically arriving at the Capitol, the protesters moved in. Hundreds of demonstrators, some of whom traveled from cities outside Sacramento, converged to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to not sign SB 276 and the companion measure, SB 714.
The bills are meant to clamp down on school vaccine exemptions. SB 276 would allow public health officials to investigate doctors who grant more than five medical exemptions in a year and schools with vaccination rates of less than 95%. SB 714 addresses some concerns raised by Newsom's office, including a phase-out period for medical exemptions similar to one allowed when California eliminated personal belief vaccine exemptions in 2015.
The two bills are needed "so we can keep children safe from preventable diseases," Assemblymember Jim Wood, D-Santa Rosa, said.
CHP warns protesters. they will be arrested if they do not stop blocking the south side entrance to the state Capitol. pic.twitter.com/G4reLBD91K
— Mike Luery (@KCRALuery) September 9, 2019
Holding signs and locking arms, protesters blocked access to the Capitol, including the driveway used by lawmakers.
The California Highway Patrol arrested at least six people for blocking entry into the building.
3 Women just arrested at state Capitol for blocking south side entrance. CHP said three others arrested earlier today on the north steps. pic.twitter.com/oT32g7EQg5
SB 276 passed the California Legislature last week. SB 714 passed the state Assembly on Monday with a 43-14 vote. The bill passed the state Senate in the afternoon with a 27-11 vote. Both bills were signed into law by 5 p.m. Monday.
Earlier, Senate proceedings were delayed for more than 90 minutes when protesters unfurled an upside-down American flag from the Senate's public gallery and chanted "My kids, my choice" and "We will not comply." An apparent counterprotester unfurled a black banner reading: "We the People v. the Vaccine Extremists."
About 200 protesters filled the hallway in front of the governor's office earlier in the day, asking Newsom to veto both vaccine bills. They later chanted "Where is Newsom?" and "Veto the bill" from the Senate gallery before leaving when they were threatened with arrest for an unlawful protest.
Protesters then returned to the Assembly, where they continued shouting "Kill the bill" and "Protect our children" as lawmakers considered other legislation.
This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.