03-05-2017, 04:13 PM
In 19 states so far, laws have been proposed by conservative legislators that would crack down on peaceful protests[SUP]1[/SUP], infringing on our right to free speech, undermining democracy, and putting human lives at risk. Peaceful assembly is protected under the Constitution and these assaults on our First Amendment rights are nothing but scare tactics.
In North Dakota, where we protested with our allies against the Dakota Access Pipeline, a new bill would allow drivers to mow down protesters with their cars. If the driver's actions were "unintentional," the driver would not be held legally accountable for hitting protesters in the street.[SUP]2[/SUP]
A bill moving through the Minnesota legislature would let cities charge protesters with the cost of policing the protest. Protesters found liable for "unlawful assembly or public nuisance" could be sued for the cost of police response.[SUP]3[/SUP]
In North Carolina, a bill would create a new "economic terrorism" felony charge for any protester who caused $1,000 or more in economic damages and who was thought to be attempting to intimidate the government or the public.[SUP]4[/SUP]
These attempts to silence dissent should be huge red flags for anyone who values the First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. A healthy democracy, speaking truth to power, and political expression, are values fundamental to our nation's identity from the start.
So we cannot let governments and corporations silence us. We must stop these unconstitutional measures now, and your state leaders need to hear from you. These bills are a threat to our democracy, a threat to our ability to enact change, and even a threat to human lives.
(1) https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/04/02/americans-right-to-protest-is-in-grave-danger-un-warns.html
(2) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/24/republican-lawmakers-introduce-bills-to-curb-protesting-in-at-least-17-states/
(3) https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/25/minnesota-protesters-bill-liable-policing-costs
(4) https://thinkprogress.org/protester-crackdown-in-north-carolina-would-sanctify-commerce-over-free-speech-fc264c4558d4
In North Dakota, where we protested with our allies against the Dakota Access Pipeline, a new bill would allow drivers to mow down protesters with their cars. If the driver's actions were "unintentional," the driver would not be held legally accountable for hitting protesters in the street.[SUP]2[/SUP]
A bill moving through the Minnesota legislature would let cities charge protesters with the cost of policing the protest. Protesters found liable for "unlawful assembly or public nuisance" could be sued for the cost of police response.[SUP]3[/SUP]
In North Carolina, a bill would create a new "economic terrorism" felony charge for any protester who caused $1,000 or more in economic damages and who was thought to be attempting to intimidate the government or the public.[SUP]4[/SUP]
These attempts to silence dissent should be huge red flags for anyone who values the First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. A healthy democracy, speaking truth to power, and political expression, are values fundamental to our nation's identity from the start.
So we cannot let governments and corporations silence us. We must stop these unconstitutional measures now, and your state leaders need to hear from you. These bills are a threat to our democracy, a threat to our ability to enact change, and even a threat to human lives.
(1) https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/04/02/americans-right-to-protest-is-in-grave-danger-un-warns.html
(2) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/24/republican-lawmakers-introduce-bills-to-curb-protesting-in-at-least-17-states/
(3) https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/25/minnesota-protesters-bill-liable-policing-costs
(4) https://thinkprogress.org/protester-crackdown-in-north-carolina-would-sanctify-commerce-over-free-speech-fc264c4558d4
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass