I knew Oklahoma was a very racist state, but this new law is just a malicious invitation to vehicular mayhem against protesters and specifically People of Color.
"We are sending a message today in Oklahoma that rioters who threaten law abiding citizens' safety will not be tolerated. I remain unequivocally committed to protecting every Oklahoman's First Amendment right to peacefully protest as well as their right to feel safe in their community," Stitt said, according to local ABC News station KAKE.
House Bill 1674 makes obstructing a public road during a protest a misdemeanor punishable with up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine. The bill also states that a driver cannot be held criminally or civilly liable for killing or injuring a protester if they have "reasonable belief" that they are in danger and are "fleeing from a riot."
The Oklahoma state Senate passed the bill last week in a 38-10 vote.
The debate over driver protections in a protest was partially triggered by an incident in Oklahoma last year in which a driver pulling a trailer drove through a crowd of protesters on a highway in Tulsa. No charges were filed against the driver.
Stitt and his Republicans feel drivers should be able plow right through any protest that might inconvenience them. Will this encourage wannabee vigilantes to use their vehicles as weapons?
This law is a real pile of Stitt.
GOP officials threaten to bar protestors from student loans, food stamps, unemployment and other aid
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