A Democratic state lawmaker who fled Texas in protest of a GOP redistricting effort is asking a court to let her exit the Capitol, after she was told she needs a police escort to leave the building.

After Democrats returned to the Texas statehouse, Republican leadership assigned law enforcement officers to monitor them to prevent further delays to their plan to redraw congressional voting districts to favor Republicans ahead of the election.

An active shooter threat at the State Capitol Tuesday pushed a protest in solidarity with Rep. Nicole Collier out along the street.

The Texas Department of Public Safety evacuated protesters from the Texas Capitol on Tuesday after a reported possible threat against lawmakers closed the building and surrounding grounds.

The grounds were cleared after 7 p.m. as a demonstration was about to begin but lawmakers and staff members were allowed to remain inside the Capitol.