Bills Across The Country Could Increase Penalties For Protesters

[elmac]

Source: NPR

From the Black Lives Matter movement to environmentalists trying to stop new oil pipelines to the recent Women's March against President Trump, the past year has been filled with large, often spontaneous protests.

Now the reaction to those protests is appearing in a number of Republican-controlled statehouses across the country where lawmakers are introducing proposals to increase penalties for those who block roadways while protesting.

Dakota Access Pipeline Foes: We Aren't Done Fighting Yet
CODE SWITCH
Dakota Access Pipeline Foes: We Aren't Done Fighting Yet
A bill in Iowa was inspired by a protest against Donald Trump shortly after the November election. More than 100 demonstrators blocked traffic on Interstate 80, just outside of Iowa City, stopping traffic on the busy trucking route for almost a half-hour.

"You're not just stopping traffic," said Republican Senator Jake Chapman about his bill, which would apply to people blocking highways with speeds posted above 55 mph. Violators could get a felony and spend 5 years in prison, plus a fine of up to $7,500
In North Dakota, where protests have gone on for months over construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, a lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow motorists to run over and kill any protester obstructing a highway as long as the driver did not do it intentionally.

Read more: http://www.npr.org/2017/01/31/512636448/bills-across-the-country-could-increase-penalties-for-protesters

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Well, living in a fascist country can be expensive or darn right dangerous

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

1. Yeah, remember when Obama was a tyrant for...um...I think it was presidenting while black?

But this shit from Pissolini's admin, not a problem.

[slumcamper]

2. POLICE STATE. n/t

[onecaliberal]

3. The constitution says we have the right to peaceful assembly. Those bills are not

Going to stand. Waste f ink and paper they were written on. Call the fascist bastards out.

[DK504]

6. Every single thing they are doing is unconstitutional.

Will the SCOTUS actually protect Americans any longer?

[slumcamper]

7. Think again.

The Constitution is only so good as the judiciary system that enforces it. The obstruction of Garland and, now, the impending wholesale appointment of right-wing ideologues leaves me much less confident than you.

[humbled_opinion]

10. and with Dumps nominee

They will get the Constitution redefined any way that they want. We are living in a very dark period of American History.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

14. Blocking a roadway is not peaceful assembly. Especially a vital artery like an Interstate.

It is not the same as assembling on courthouse steps or marching in an organized march that is planned ahead of time.

It is not free speech; at best it is civil (or uncivil) disobedience. The people who sat in at lunch counters in the South for civil rights knew they were disobeying laws and were prepared to be arrested. So protesters who want to get arrested to make a point can make their point without hurting other people.

One example of what can happen is a woman in labor on the way to a hospital getting stuck in the middle of a massive traffic jam caused by thoughtless blockers. Another is a person rushing to a courthouse with a payment to meet a deadline to prevent foreclosure on their house. Yet another is making people miss flights to go see dying relatives.

There are much better ways to protest than blocking vital arteries.

[onecaliberal]

21. I didn't say anything about blocking a road. I said the constitution gives the right

To peacefully assemble. I also didn't seek to define what that means.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

22. The OP is all about blocking a road. You were referring to the OP since you replied to it.

You also said "these bills", which are bills the bills in the OP about increasing the penalty for blocking a road.

[onecaliberal]

23. You responded to my comment, NOT the OP

[Bernardo de La Paz]

27. Yes, your comment which included the context of the OP by referring to it directly.

[onecaliberal]

30. Really? You're putting words in my mouth. Bye Felicia

[Equinox Moon]

4. They can't stop us. Truly, we will only get more creative.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. +1. I am reminded of the Yippies and street "theater". . . nt

[Equinox Moon]

28. Great.

And many more actions will evolve. We could even see strikes, walk-outs. Civil disobedience actions.

[Augiedog]

5. First we resist, then we rebel, then comes revolt

[elmac]

12. Revolt would be very hard but not impossible

he has all the gun nuts, religious fanatics and 2/3rds of the military and police on his side.

[Augiedog]

17. King George said exactly that same thing, but with an accent 😀

[elmac]

19. I had an Uncle George

helped him build an amphibious airplane one summer that he actually flew. Was one hell of an engineer.

[HughBeaumont]

31. I think it's more like 7/8ths; especially concerning the Police.

American law enforcement isn't exactly known for compassion towards any marginalized group or anyone with a left-leaning bent.

[elleng]

8. First Amendment Text

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[onetexan]

29. Yep, i anticipate it will go to Supreme Court

who then needs to decide. If the justices show partisanship over this and 1st Amendment is invalidated, this nation will be embroiled in a second civil war. I don't think it will ever get that far but we live in Orwellian times.

On the other hand, if the rule of law prevails, this is a clear reflection of the stupidity of repugs if they think they can get this passed.

[benld74]

9. 1st Amendment baby!!!

[homegirl]

11. The coup is already happening, and it started long before Trump

The coup is already happening, and it started long before Trump. When the Republicans refused to allow Congress to choose a successor to Justice Scalia after he suddenly died last February, that was part of the coup. When the Republican NC legislature stripped all power from the incoming Democratic governor last year, that was part of the coup. When the Republican governor of Michigan ordered "emergency managers" to take over the Democratic mayor and city council of Flint and subsequently poisoned the entire population of that mostly-Black city, that was part of the coup.

So while Democrats and liberals are debating whether this is a coup, the coup marches on, and it will continue to march on until the right-wing fascists who are orchestrating and participating in the the coup are removed from office.

[ManiacJoe]

13. The reasons pedestrians are prohibited from freeways are simple and logical.

One does not want to be the victim of physics.

[elmac]

16. when it comes to civil unrest

you gotta go where you gotta go.

[ManiacJoe]

18. The smart people stay off the freeway.

If your protest includes plans to risk your life, you are not doing the protest correctly.

[kyburbonkid]

20. How to create political prisoners?

Let the minority republicans control the state houses, congress, senate and wh.

[IronLionZion]

24. "allow motorists to run over and kill any protester"

Trumpers have fantasized over this one for a long time. In other countries it would be considered mass murder or terrorism. And terrorists have driven through crowds of people to kill them.

Assholes

I live in DC and get stuck in traffic during protests all the time. Yeah, it's annoying as hell. I still support the cause and their right to protest and fight the good fight.

[EarthFirst]

25. I removed a family member today from social media over a traffic meme...

It was the second time he had posted a video relating to running over protesters in your vehicle.

I told him that one of those people could very well be me some day.

His response: "Well you had better get out of the damn way!"