#HR1057: Penalties for #protesters on #InterstateHighways

"Would create steep new penalties for #protesters deemed to be 'deliberately delaying traffic,' 'standing or approaching a motor vehicle,' or 'endangering the safe movement of a motor vehicle' on an interstate highway 'with the intent to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of the interstate highway.' The new federal offense would be punishable by up to $10,000 and 15 years in prison—a far harsher penalty than is the case under many states' laws, which generally already criminalize walking or standing on the highway. The bill provides an exception for 'any lawful activity' authorized by federal, state, or local law. However, it could still seemingly cover far more than 'blocking' the interstate, including a #PeacefulProtest on the shoulder of an interstate or a convoy-style, driving protest that slowed traffic. The sponsor of the bill made clear that it was in response to protesters. The same bill was introduced as HR 7349 in 2024.

Status: pending

Introduced 6 Feb 2025.

Issue(s): Traffic Interference

Press release by bill sponsor Rep. #MikeCollins (GA-10):
https://collins.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-mike-collins-reintroduces-safe-passage-interstates-act

Full text of bill:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1057
#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CiminalizingProtest #Section25 #JustStopOil #SlowMarch #CharacteristicsOfFascism

Representative Mike Collins Reintroduces the Safe Passage on Interstates Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Mike Collins (GA-10) reintroduced the Safe Passage on Interstates Act, which would make the intentional obstruction of interstate highways illegal.

Representative Collins

#MarchaLenta
#SlowMarch

https://vimeo.com/943308098

Ontem marchámos várias horas em Lisboa porque não podemos continuar a conseguir com a crise climática.

Ao mesmo tempo milhares de pessoas são afetadas no Brasil pelas cheias.

Os governos e empresas declararam guerra contra as pessoas e o planeta. Vais consentir ou vais agir?

Dia 9 de maio vem à apresentação pública às 19h. Se não podes, preenche o formulário de participação online, há muitas formas de entrares em resistência!

Marcha lenta - 3 Maio

Vimeo

#MarchaLenta
#SlowMarch

Nas assembleias de abril decidimos em assembleia popular quais as reinvindicações para o protesto de hoje.🌹

Esta é o sexto protesto no espaço de 1 semana. 💥

Dia 9 de maio, às 19h00, vem ter connosco na GAIA Lisboa para te juntares aos próximos passos da luta contra a destruição de tudo o que amas. 🔥

#MarchaLenta
#SlowMarch

Hoje foram dezenas a marchar em passo lento em Lisboa durante mais de 3 horas. Temos de parar a banalização da violência e mortes associadas à crise climática, temos de lado a lado resistir e garantir as medidas essenciais à sobrevivência, como o fim de novos projetos que aumentem emissões, de investimentos públicos em combustíveis fósseis e a garantia de que sejam os mais ricos a pagar a transição necessária. ✊

#marchaLenta
#slowMarch

Vídeo da ação de ontem:

https://vimeo.com/940380985

Tal como no passado, só a resistência climática popular pode mudar o sistema para parar o colapso climático, colocando a vida acima do lucro.

Vem à apresentação pública de dia 9 de Maio no GAIA- Alfama e vem fazer parte da resistência

Marcha lenta - Rua dos Sapadores - 27/04/2024

Vimeo

#marchaLenta
#slowMarch

Hoje, 4 apoiantes do Climáximo marcharam lentamente pela rua dos Sapadores, em Lisboa. Mesmo tendo sido convocada e várias pessoas no passeio terem demonstrado o seu apoio e se terem juntado à marcha a PSP deteve 2 pessoas.

Nesta semana a Galp anunciou um novo projeto de morte na Namíbia. Não podemos consentir com as ações de violência premeditadas e coordenadas de empresas e governos.

I'm not knocking the Grecians here, but I do find it fascinating that a crowd of football fans can block a road with a #SlowMarch on the way to a match and get indulgent nods and smiles, but if they were calling for clean air, better insulation in a time of #FuelPoverty and #ClimateCrisis or an end to the bombing of Gaza there would be immediate calls to lock them up for the disruption they're causing.

#RightToProtest #UKPol #JustStopOil #InsulateBritain #ExeterCity

#Wetsuweten Law Cannot ‘Coexist’ with BC Court Order, Judge Determines
Chief Dsta’hyl has been found guilty of criminal contempt.

by Amanda Follett Hosgood, #TheTyee

21 Feb 2024

"Wet’suwet’en hereditary leaders have opposed #pipeline construction through their traditional territory since before the #CoastalGasLink pipeline project was first proposed. In December 2018, the B.C. Supreme Court issued an interim injunction to the company, which prohibited anyone from blocking pipeline access roads or work sites. A year later, on Dec. 31, 2019, the court granted a permanent injunction for the duration of the project.

[...]

"Last month, Tammen determined there was sufficient evidence to convict three #Indigenous #LandDefenders — Sleydo’ Molly Wickham, Shaylynn Sampson and Corey Jocko. They were arrested the day after Dennis and later charged with criminal #contempt. Hearings have begun into an application by the defence to stay the charges based on police conduct during the arrests.

"#ChiefDstahyl’s arrest took place in October 2021, after a series of interactions with Coastal GasLink workers and security contractors on the Shea Forest Service Road on Likhts’amisyu Clan territory.

"During those interactions, Dsta’hyl and others blocked access to a work camp and 'seized and rendered inoperable' multiple pieces of machinery belonging to Coastal GasLink contractors by cutting electrical wires and removing batteries, according to evidence presented during the trial.

"When Dsta’hyl was arrested, he had four batteries from heavy machinery in the back of his pickup truck, the judge said.

"'There is little dispute concerning the basic facts,' Tammen said, noting that video evidence documenting the incidents was presented during the trial.

"'Chief Dsta’hyl, acting as an enforcement officer for the Likhts’amisyu Clan, participated in the decommissioning of a piece of heavy equipment owned by a CGL subcontractor on Oct. 17, 2021. That action consisted of removing the battery from the equipment, an excavator, thus rendering it inoperable.'

"Witnesses for the defence included other #Likhtsamisyu Chiefs, who described the Wet’suwet’en traditional clan system and its role in governing the traditional territory. Among the Chiefs’ duties is preservation and protection of the traditional territory, or #yintah, Tammen said.

"Tammen also summarized the Wet’suwet’en law of trespass, something described in detail by defence witnesses, saying permission is required to access territory belonging to a house group 'beyond just passing through it.'

[...]

"Criminal contempt penalties can include fines or imprisonment. Sentencing has been set for 9 a.m. on March 6."

https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/02/21/Wetsuweten-Law-Cannot-Coexist-BC-Court-Order/

#SLAPPs #IndigenousActivism #BigOilAndGas #CorporateColonialism #IndigenousLandDefenders #LandBack #2023PublicOrderAct #DirectAction #ACAB #Fascism #CriminalizingDissent #WaterIsLife #WaterProtectors #ForestDefenders #ClimateActivists #ClimateJustice #EcoActivists #HumanRightsViolations #Article20 #RightToProtest #SlowMarch

Wet’suwet’en Law Cannot ‘Coexist’ with BC Court Order, Judge Determines | The Tyee

Chief Dsta’hyl has been found guilty of criminal contempt.

The Tyee