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.

Texas State Representative Nicole Collier has emerged as a key figure in the state’s ongoing electoral map controversy.

Upon returning after a 15-day walkout, Texas House Democrats were asked for consent to be escorted off the floor by DPS officers. Nicole Collier refused and was locked in the chamber Monday night.

The Capitol grounds were closed as protesters gathered in support of Rep. Nicole Collier, who is staying on the House floor in protest.

Nicole Collier spent two nights inside the Texas Capitol after she was barred from leaving the building over her refusal to agree to 24-hour police surveillance.