Tennessee senator vacates office and locks the doors to keep out protesters

February 21, 2017 at 5:41 p.m. | Updated February 21, 2017 at 5:57 p.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2012 file photo, Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mount Juliet, describes her bill seeking to add more offenses to the state's methamphetamine offender registry during a Senate floor session Nashville, Tenn. Beavers helped craft legislation this session that would terminate the Court of the Judiciary in July and replace it with a 16-member Board of Judicial Conduct. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2012 file photo, Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mount Juliet, describes her bill seeking to add more offenses to the state's methamphetamine offender registry during a Senate floor session Nashville, Tenn. Beavers helped craft legislation this session that would terminate the Court of the Judiciary in July and replace it with a 16-member Board of Judicial Conduct. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee senator has locked up her state Capitol office amid a renewed feud with protesters.

About a dozen people were involved in Tuesday's protest at Republican Sen. Mae Beavers' office. Some read civil rights writings and knocked on her door inside the office.

Last week, Beavers and GOP Rep. Mark Pody abruptly ended their own news conference when protesters interrupted to oppose the lawmakers' bathroom bill and legislation defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Afterward, Beavers suggested the protesters should be imprisoned, spurring Tuesday's sit-in.

Beavers told Tuesday's protesters she'd have them removed if they kept knocking. She said she was busy meeting with constituents.

Beavers and staffers then left and locked up as protesters asked questions. Police blocked protesters as Beavers took the elevator.

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