[fwdude]

"> Some of the protesters were paid to be there."

Do you have evidence of that?

I wouldn't be at all surprised. "Paid" can also mean having provided transportation, meals, lodging, etc. Many Leftist orgs rent out buses to ship in masses of protesters, not only from within the state, but from outside as well. Wisconsin had ample evidence of this.

[a fool in paradise]

I’ve heard that some in Austin had been bused in from out of state.

[a fool in paradise]

“Keep your Oklahomans out of my legislation!”