The Alabama House recessed Friday morning after an Alabama redistricting protest erupted in the gallery during debate on the Senate companion redistricting bill, forcing security to clear spectators and escort a woman from the chamber.
Things got a little crazy. pic.twitter.com/U1ZnCVE3E9
— Craig Monger (@CraigMonger1819) May 8, 2026
Protesters in the gallery began chanting and singing during House floor debate on SB1, the Senate version of the special session redistricting legislation. House security and state troopers moved to remove a woman from the gallery as the crowd chanted “stand up, fight back.”
It’s chaos in the gallery after a protestor appeared to be restrained by state troopers.
Security and Democratjc representatives calm down protestors and stop the chanting.
Multiple people were taken out.@abc3340 https://t.co/u1zfoLAn8P pic.twitter.com/WmbDwmxn1Z
— Austin Pratt (@austinpratt_tv) May 8, 2026
Two Democratic lawmakers attempted to intervene as the woman was escorted out. State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) and State Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham) both confronted law enforcement during the removal, according to video posted by reporters at the State House.
It was not immediately clear whether the woman was arrested or charged. The House remained in recess at the time of publication.
The Alabama redistricting protest came as the House took up SB1, the Senate companion redistricting bill covering state Senate Districts 25 and 26. The House passed its own redistricting bill Wednesday 75-29 along party lines, and the Senate passed SB1 the same day after severe weather in Montgomery flooded the State House and forced an evacuation mid-debate.
Governor Kay Ivey called the special session after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais struck down race-based redistricting. Neither bill changes any maps on its own. Both are contingency plans that would trigger special replacement primaries only if federal courts lift the injunctions currently blocking Alabama from using its Legislature-drawn maps.
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
