OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma State Senate handed laws that provides authorized protections to drivers escaping riots, however an area group says the invoice is harmful and stands in the way in which of Oklahomans exercising their proper to protest.
Home Invoice 1674 was written by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman. It was accredited by the Senate on Wednesday.
The invoice was written to present safety towards civil and prison legal responsibility to drivers who “might unintentionally trigger damage or loss of life whereas fleeing a riot and imposes penalties for individuals who unlawfully impede streets or highways, blocking automobiles,” a State Senate information launch states.
“We truly noticed this occur right here in Oklahoma final 12 months when a Tulsa household was surrounded by rioters. Via no fault of their very own, they have been caught in a harmful scenario, and fearing for his or her lives, they have been trying to get away,” Standridge mentioned. “The prosecutor declined to file prices, however that will not all the time be the case. This invoice will shield harmless folks trapped by a rioting mob.”
The invoice protects a driver who “unintentionally causes damage or loss of life” whereas fleeing a riot.
The invoice additionally penalizes people who “unlawfully impede” approaching automobiles from utilizing a public road, freeway or highway or endangering automobiles’ or pedestrians’ protected motion. Penalties embrace a misdemeanor punishable by as much as one 12 months in county jail and/or a advantageous starting from $100 to $5,000, in addition to legal responsibility for injury to individual or property.
“This invoice provides to language in present legislation relating to riots and is instantly consistent with the Tulsa district lawyer’s choice over the summer season that protected a motorist fleeing a riot,” West mentioned. “This is a vital safety for residents who’re simply making an attempt to get out of a foul scenario. When fleeing an illegal riot, they need to not face risk of prosecution for making an attempt to guard themselves, their households or their property.”
The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) issued a press release Wednesday condemning the invoice’s passage.
“This legislation is harmful and meant to discourage Oklahomans from exercising their constitutional proper to peaceable protest,” mentioned CAIR-OK Authorities Affairs Director Lani R. Habrock. “This invoice is one among many throughout the nation searching for to suppress the voice of the folks.”
The invoice now goes to Gov. Kevin Stitt for consideration.
CAIR-OK urged Stitt to veto the invoice.
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