America’s first non-binary lawmaker has been censured and stripped of all committee assignments after harboring a fugitive who attacked a police officer. Mauree Turner, a biological woman who uses they/them pronouns, is also the first Muslim elected to the Oklahoma legislature. The officer was attacked in protest of a bill prohibiting trans surgeries for children.
“Last week, a member of the House of Representatives and a highway patrolman were assaulted after an otherwise peaceful protest turned violent.” Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall said following the censure. “It came to the attention of law enforcement that the individual who fled was hiding in the official office of a member of the House.”
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The protest received wide coverage last week after trans activists stormed the Oklahoma legislature. “Trans Lives Matter” protesters occupied the building for hours, demanding lawmakers reverse course on a bill banning sex change surgeries and hormone treatments for kids—often referred to by supporters as “gender-affirming care.”
The attacker, Austin Ross, reportedly hurled water at a lawmaker and an intervening officer before grabbing the hands of a sheriff’s deputy trying to arrest his friend. Ross was given shelter by Turner, who later tried to prevent law enforcement from arresting him.
“When we go up to the representative’s office, we were not allowed in, even from opening the door,” highway patrol trooper Eric Foster said, according to Daily Mail.
Ross was later charged with separate counts of assault and battery of a police officer.
“This member knowingly, and willfully, impeded a law enforcement investigation, harboring a fugitive and repeatedly lying to officers, and used their official office and position to thwart attempts by law enforcement to make contact with a suspect of the investigation,” McCall said.
The Oklahoma House voted along party lines to censure Turner. She was also removed from all committee assignments, pending an apology to her fellow lawmaker and the highway police.
Turner, however, says she has no intention of issuing an apology. “I think an apology for loving the people of Oklahoma is something that I cannot do,” Turner said, refusing the deal. “It’s something that I actively refuse to do.”
Despite protesters storming the legislature and assaulting police, Turner says it was actually the trans community that was under attack.
“I just provide my office as a space of grace and love for all the folks in all communities that seek refuge from the hate in this building. Trans people don’t feel safe here.”
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In his press release following the censure vote, Speaker McCall voiced his support for the officers.
“Our law enforcement officers leave their homes every day to serve and protect us, never knowing if it might be the last time they see their families,” he said. “The House stands by our law enforcement and will not allow what is an already dangerous and unpredictable job to become more dangerous due to the actions of a member of our body.”
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