AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Protesters decrying proposed Texas legislation compelling local police to enforce federal immigration law are staging a raucous sit-in at a state building.
More than 100 people, many wearing T-shirts or waving signs denouncing the proposal against “sanctuary cities,” marched Monday to the Texas Department of Insurance building.
The protesters sat in the lobby, vowing to remain until Republican Gov. Greg Abbott voids the bill, which hasn’t yet cleared the state Legislature.
They spent hours chanting in English and Spanish, and locked arms to block building entrances.
Abbott wasn’t present. The governor has staff in the building but his office is located in the nearby state Capitol.
Police watched from afar without intervening.
The Texas Senate and House have passed anti-sanctuary cities bills, which have to be reconciled before becoming law.
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