Two advocacy groups released a joint statement last night criticizing actions at a legislative hearing.

The directors of PROMO and Empower Missouri are strongly objecting to the treatment of NAACP Missouri president Nimrod Chapel, Jr. who they say was cut-off from testifying against legislation.

They claim House Special Committee on Litigation Reform Chairman Bill Lant treated Chapel Jr. unfairly at a hearing on several measures dealing with workplace discrimination.

The ranking Democrat on the committee, Representative Gina Mitten, released a statement calling Lant’s behavior “unprofessional and racist.”

A Youtube video of the exchange is here.