Texas Women File Federal Lawsuit Over Capitol Ban, Citing Constitutional Violations
Three women have filed a federal lawsuit against Texas state leaders and the Texas State Preservation Board after being banned from the Texas Capitol and its grounds. The women, including Angel Carroll, Travis County Democratic Party Chair Jessica Cohen, and community organizer Jill Van Voorhis, were arrested during an August 2025 protest. Although the charges were dropped, they were banned from the Capitol for a year. The lawsuit claims that the bans violate their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, preventing them from participating in public hearings or meeting with lawmakers. The Texas State Preservation Board, Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows are named as defendants. The lawsuit highlights the impact of these bans on democratic participation in Texas. 
