From 2024: States Are Restricting Protests and Criminalizing Dissent

United States of Suppression is a series documenting the recent crackdown on dissent and protests in the U.S. This op-ed discusses what happens when protesting becomes a crime.

By Elly Page and Alana Greer
June 26, 2024

Excerpt: "Since 2017, 21 states across the country have passed new laws that restrict protests — nearly 50 in total — with dozens more being introduced annually.

"Most of these new laws increase criminal penalties for conduct, like interfering with traffic, involved in some kinds of protests. Under laws passed in states such as #Arkansas, #Iowa, and #Tennessee, protesters can spend up to a year in jail for 'obstructing' public #streets or #sidewalks, even though these are traditional venues for First Amendment-related activities. After protests against the #KeystoneXL Pipeline, 14 states dramatically increased penalties for trespassing, which would usually amount to a petty offense, if protesters enter lands with #pipelines or #pipeline construction sites.

"In many cases, these laws go further than punishing individual protesters to include the people and organizations that support them, putting organizers and community groups at risk. Under a recent law in #Oklahoma, an organization that 'conspires' with people to hold a protest can face felony penalties if the protest is deemed to be an 'unlawful assembly' — which state law defines vaguely enough to include a three-person protest that 'disturbs the public peace.' "

Read more:
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/states-restricting-protests-criminalizing

#CriminalizingDissent
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CriminalizingProtest
#CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol #PipelineProtestors #TrafficInterference #DisturbingThePeace #BogusCharges #Crackdown #SLAPPs #VagueLaws #ProtestOrganizers #ProtestSponsors #ProtestSupporters #FirstAmendment

Yesterday doing the rounds it was #coldcallers claiming to be #exprisoners just trying to make ends meet #selling #cleaning products. Today it's smartly dressed #families with #small #children selling #religion.

Given the #ferry #cost of getting here they all appear to have more #money to burn than me!

#doorKnockers #scam #rural #village #hobbies #disturbingthepeace

Now released for free:

The award-winning documentary "Disturbing the Peace" tells the story of people born into conflict, sworn to be enemies, who challenged their fate. The film follows everyday people who took extraordinary actions by standing for what they believe in.

It starts with our willingness to disturb the peace.

#CombatantsForPeace
#Disturbingthepeace
#Israel #Palestine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huUqXZKboVU&list=PLLOa5l_UwvwqGdaRciBFCyAzN5nrQaatF&index=4

https://www.disturbingthepeacefilm.com/

Thank goodness! The damned Trumpers marching with drums right across the street from us finally went home. 🤢😠

#Bigotry
#Fascism
#DisturbingThePeace

#DragQueen #storyhour moved to #secretlocation for #safety after #protests. Three #arrested for #disturbingthepeace

The City of #SainteCatherine, just outside #Montreal, held a #storytelling #activity for #children hosted by drag queen #Barbada Sunday despite protesters' opposition — but its address wasn't made public.

#Women #Transgender #LGBTQIA #Canada #Drag #DragQueens #Representation #Culture

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/drag-story-hour-secret-location-1.6799385?cmp=rss