8 arrested in Las Vegas Strip gay rights protest

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Police say eight people were arrested on misdemeanor charges in a Las Vegas Strip demonstration by advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.

Officer Bill Cassell said Wednesday the eight men and women were taken into custody on obstructing a police officer and jaywalking charges.

Each was booked at the Clark County jail and released pending court appearances.

The protesters were from Washington, D.C.-based GetEQUAL, a group advocating for civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

They had banners calling for Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic senate majority leader, to do more to pass the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Reid spokesman Tom Brede says Reid supports the act. It would prohibit workplace discrimination due to sexual orientation or gender identity.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.