TOPEKA (AP) — Three Kansas State University students who were barred on Wednesday from the Kansas Statehouse for a year have been reinstated. The Kansas City Star reports capitol officials on Thursday reversed the ban that was imposed after the students helped hang large banners saying top Republican legislators who oppose expanding Medicaid have “blood on their hands.” Capitol Police Officer Scott Whitsell he imposed the ban because the students violated a policy on demonstrations.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Three Kansas State University students who were barred from the Kansas Statehouse for a year have been reinstated.
The Kansas City Star reports capitol officials on Thursday reversed the ban that was imposed Wednesday after the students helped hang large banners saying top Republican legislators who oppose expanding Medicaid have “blood on their hands.”
The four banners were up for only a few minutes before they were taken down.
Capitol Police Officer Scott Whitsell said Wednesday that he banned the students because they violated a policy that requires protesters to get permission before hanging banners. They were escorted out of the building by the Kansas Highway Patrol, which operates security in the Statehouse.
An explanation for the reversal was not immediately available.
Wednesday 8 p.m.
TOPEKA (AP) — Three Kansas State University students have received a one year ban from entering the state capitol building in Topeka.
Capitol police officer Scott Whitsell said he imposed the ban due to a policy violation after the students participated in the hanging of huge banners favoring Medicaid expansion from the fifth floor rotunda. The four banners criticized Republican legislative leaders who oppose Medicaid expansion by name and said they have “blood on their hands.”
A legislative policy requires protesters to obtain permission in advance to bring banners into the Statehouse. Legislative Administrative Services Director Tom Day removed them within minutes.
The banned students are Jonathan Cole, Nate Faflick and Katie Sullivan. Sullivan questioned whether the ban is legal. Whitsell said if the students return within a year, they face being cited for criminal trespassing.
