Police on Monday carted off dozens of gay rights activists blocking entrances to the Idaho Senate chambers.

Wearing black shirts with white lettering that said “Add the 4 words Idaho” and covering their mouths, the demonstrators stood shoulder to shoulder demanding lawmakers take up legislation which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Idaho Human Rights Act. Similar laws in other states outlaw discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations and credit.

Former state Senator Nicole LeFavour, the Idaho Legislature's first openly gay lawmakers and a 2012 congressional candidate, told the AP that the group would block the entrances until lawmaker agreed to consider the bill.

Police said the protesters blocked the entrances for more than two hours and 43 people were arrested.

Republicans, who hold large majorities in both houses of the Idaho Legislature, have refused to consider such protections.