Mastodawn

[Thread] Oh boy...! I made the *mistake* of looking at the US #ProtestLaw Tracker I had posted on Mastodon a while back. YIKES! Not just state laws, but some pretty nasty federal ones. And interestingly enough, #Maine, #Vermont, #Delaware and #NewMexico are the only states who haven't considered passing laws restricting protest. Many states ended up not passing those laws, but some did... Read on...

https://www.icnl.org/usprotestlawtracker/?location=&status=&issue=&date=&type=
#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown

US Protest Law Tracker - ICNL

The US Protest Law Tracker, part of ICNL’s US Program, follows initiatives at the state and federal level since November 2016 that restrict the right to protest. Click this link to see the full Tracker.

ICNL

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DoomsdaysCW Apr 9

US Federal #S1017: New federal criminal penalties for #protests near #pipelines

"Would create a new federal felony offense that could apply to protests of planned or operational pipelines. The bill would broadly criminalize under federal law 'knowingly and willfully' 'vandalizing, tampering with, disrupting the operation or construction of, or preventing the operation or construction of' a gas pipeline. A range of #PeacefulActivities could be deemed 'disrupting… the construction of' a pipeline, from a rally that obstructs a road used by construction equipment, to a lawsuit challenging a pipeline’s permit or zoning approval. The bill does not define 'disrupt,' such that even a brief delay would seemingly be covered. Further, the underlying law provides that any 'attempt' or '#conspiracy' to commit the offense would be punished the same as actual commission. As such, individuals as well as organizations that engage in the planning or facilitation of a protest that is deemed to 'disrupt' pipeline construction could be covered. The offense would be punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for an individual, or $500,000 for an organization.

Status: pending
Introduced 13 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): Protest Supporters or Funders, Infrastructure

Full bill text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1017
#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #Pipelines #PipelineProtests #ThoughtCrime

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DoomsdaysCW Apr 9

#S982: Potential penalties for #universities based on #protest policies

"Would make federal #accreditation of colleges and universities—and thus their access to #FederalFunds—contingent on the institution’s policies on responding to protests. Under the 'No Tax Dollars for #CollegeEncampments Act of 2024,' universities would have to regularly disclose how they respond to campus 'incidents of civil disturbance,' defined to include 'a demonstration, riot, or strike,' and their accreditation would be linked to such policies and practices. The bill sponsor cited #ProPalestine campus protests as motivation for the bill; he introduced the same bill in 2024."

Status: pending

Introduced 12 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): Campus Protests, Riot

Post by bill's sponsor, Senator #JimBanks (R-Ind.):
https://www.banks.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-banks-introduces-the-no-tax-dollars-for-encampments-act/

Full bill text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/982

#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #StudentProtests #CampusProtests #CharacteristicsOfFascism

Senator Banks Introduces the No Tax Dollars for Encampments Act - Senator Jim Banks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the No Tax Dollars for Encampments Act. The bill requires colleges and universities to disclose their policies for responding to incidents like demonstrations, riots, or strikes. It aims to increase transparency on how schools manage disruptions and ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t used to support environments where […]

Senator Jim Banks

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DoomsdaysCW Apr 9

#HR2065: Harsh penalties for #protesters who conceal their identity

"Would make it a federal crime, subject to a lengthy prison sentence, to wear a #mask or other disguise while protesting in an 'intimidating' or 'oppressive' way. Under the '#UnmaskingHamasAct,' anyone 'in disguise, including while wearing a mask' who 'injures, oppresses, threatens, or intimidates any person' exercising their constitutional rights could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison as well as fined. The bill does not define 'oppress,' nor does the bill specify what is meant by 'disguise,' other than that it includes a 'mask.' The bill’s substantive provisions are identical to the '#UnmaskingAntifaAct,' which lawmakers have introduced in several previous sessions. Sponsors of the bill made clear that it is a response to #ProPalestine #protesters, some of whom have worn masks to avoid retaliation."

Status: pending

Introduced 11 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): Face Covering

Press release from bill sponsor, Congressman #AddisonMcDowell (NC-06):
https://mcdowell.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-addison-mcdowell-introduces-unmasking-hamas-act-strengthen-penalties

Full bill text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2065/text?s=1&r=64&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22actionDate%3A%5C%22119%7C2025-03-11%5C%22+AND+%28billIsReserved%3A%5C%22N%5C%22+OR+type%3A%5C%22AMENDMENT%5C%22%29%22%7D
#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #FreePalestineProtests #SurveillanceState #AntiMaskLaws #CiminalizingProtest

Rep. Addison McDowell Introduces the Unmasking Hamas Act to Strengthen Penalties for Criminals in Disguise

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Addison McDowell (NC-06) introduced the Unmasking Hamas Act of 2025, a bill aimed at increasing penalties for individuals who use a mask or disguise while damaging federal property or infringing on a person’s Constitutionally protected right. People are more prone to committing violent behavior when they believe their identity is hidden - something we’ve seen time and again since October 7th.

Congressman Addison McDowell

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DoomsdaysCW Apr 9

#S937: Barring #StudentProtesters from #FederalLoans and #LoanForgiveness

"Would exclude student protesters from federal financial aid and loan forgiveness if they commit any crime at a campus protest. The bill would cover someone convicted of 'any offense' under 'any Federal or State law” that is “related to the individual’s conduct at and during the course of a protest' at a college or university. As such, a student convicted of even a nonviolent, state law misdemeanor at a campus protest, such as failing to disperse, would be deemed ineligible for federal student loans; they would also be ineligible for having existing federal loans forgiven, cancelled, waived or modified. The sponsor of the bill said it was a response to #ProPalestine protests at colleges and universities.
(See full text of bill here)

Status: pending

Introduced 11 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): #CampusProtests, Limit on Public Benefits

Bill sponsor Sen. #TomCotton (R-Ark.):
https://www.jns.org/cotton-introduces-two-bills-targeting-rotten-culture-on-university-campuses/

Full text of bill:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/937

#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #StudentProtests #CampusProtests #CharacteristicsOfFascism #FreePalestineProtests

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DoomsdaysCW

#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

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DoomsdaysCW Apr 10

State by State Pending and recently passed #AntiProtestLaws: #Alabama

#HB412: Felony penalties for #protesters near gas and oil #pipelines

Would substantially increase existing penalties that could cover protesters who demonstrate on pipeline property. Under the bill, unauthorized entry onto “critical infrastructure,” which includes pipelines, would be a Class D felony punishable by at least one and up to five years in prison, rather than a serious misdemeanor. As such, demonstrators who enter onto pipeline property could face felony arrest and significant prison time. The trespass offense covers entry onto areas of “#CriticalInfrastructure” that are not posted against trespassing or enclosed by a physical barrier, if any authorized person forbids entry.

See full text of bill here:
https://legiscan.com/AL/bill/HB412/2025

Status: pending
Introduced 6 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Infrastructure, Trespass

SB 247: New penalties for #StreetProtesters

Would create a new criminal offense that could cover protesters who demonstrate in the street or obstruct access to businesses and residences. The bill, which focuses on targeted residential picketing, also broadly prohibits protesters from “block[ing] any public road, the ingress or egress of any residence, or the ingress or egress of any place of employment while #picketing or protesting.” The prohibition would seemingly cover a large street protest, regardless of whether it actually interfered with traffic, as well as a large protest in an urban area that even temporarily blocked the entrance to a shop or apartment building. A first offense would be a Class C misdemeanor (up to three months in jail), and subsequent offenses would be a Class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail).

Full text of bill here: https://legiscan.com/AL/bill/SB247/2025

Status: pending
Introduced 18 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference

SB 152: New controls on protest locations and costs for protest organizers

Allows municipalities in Lauderdale County to control where protesters may gather, and charge them expansive fees for a permit. Under the law, municipalities may prohibit spontaneous protests in public forums by requiring protesters to obtain permits in certain circumstances, including if the demonstration "will involve more than a certain number of individuals participating, as established by the municipality." The law also allows municipalities to charge protester organizers a permit fee that includes "the actual cost of cleanup," "the actual cost of the use of #LawEnforcementOfficers," and "any other actual administrative cost incurred by the municipality."

Full text of bill here: https://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB152&WIN_TYPE=BillResult

Status: enacted
Introduced 21 Feb 2021; Approved by Senate 16 March 2021; Approved by House 13 April 2021; Signed by Governor Ivey 27 April 2021

Issue(s): Security Costs

SB 17 / HB 21: New Penalties for Protests Near Gas and Oil Pipelines

Expands the definition of "critical infrastructure" under Alabama law to include pipelines and mining operations, such that protesters who enter onto pipeline property could face steep penalties. Preexisting Alabama law prohibited individuals from unauthorized entry onto critical infrastructure, defined as intentionally entering a posted area of critical infrastructure; the offense is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. Under this law, if a person interrupts or interferes with the operations of critical infrastructure while trespassing, they would additionally be guilty of a Class C felony, punishable by at least one and up to ten years in prison. This law also expanded the definition of "person" to include nonprofits, creating the possibility that nonprofits who provide support or organizing for #environmental protests near critical infrastructure where individuals then #trespass could face organizational liability. The draft law was pre-filed for the 2022 legislative session in September 2021. It is nearly identical to HB 516 introduced in 2021.

Full text of bill here: https://legiscan.com/AL/bill/SB17/2022

Status: enacted

Introduced 11 Jan 2022; Approved by Senate 1 February 2022; Approved by House 10 February 2022; Signed by Governor Ivey 15 February 2022

Issue(s): Protest Supporters or Funders, Infrastructure, Trespass

#FirstAmendment #CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CiminalizingProtest #CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol

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DoomsdaysCW Apr 10

State by State Pending and recently passed #AntiProtestLaws: #Alaska

HB 71 / SB 74: New penalties for protesting without a permit

Would introduce new criminal and civil penalties that could cover participants in a spontaneous protest or other demonstration without a permit. The bill creates a new felony offense that would cover someone who “knowingly… obstructs or blocks a public place.” While it includes exceptions for “obstruction” authorized by a permit or otherwise authorized by the law, the new offense would clearly cover unpermitted protests—particularly large protests in public plazas, parks, streets, sidewalks or other places that might “obstruct” the movement of nonparticipants. If the protest “substantially interferes” with someone’s access to a government building, or “interferes” with an emergency responder, the offense would be a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and $50,000. In all other cases it would be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and $25,000. In addition to criminal penalties, the bill creates expansive civil liability for protesters who block public places. A person “whose passage is obstructed” could sue a protester for $10,000 if their rights were infringed, $50,000 if their property was damaged, and $100,000 if they were personally injured – in addition to attorney’s fees and costs. Under the bill, civil liability extends to anyone who “directly or indirectly, by words or action, aids, encourages, or authorizes the conduct,” including by “advising” another person to engage in the conduct or “conspiring” to engage in the conduct. It also extends to anyone outside the state of Alaska if they “knew or had reason to know” that their acts were likely to lead to the obstruction. A similar bill was introduced in 2024, though with lesser criminal penalties.

Full text of bill here: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=hb71

Status: pending

Introduced 27 Jan 2025.

Issue(s): Civil Liability, Protest Supporters or Funders, #TrafficInterference

#FirstAmendment #CriminalizingDissent
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CriminalizingProtest
#CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol