OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A invoice that would give drivers immunity in the event that they really feel threatened and run over a protester throughout an illustration is now on the governor’s desk.
“You possibly can protest all you need, I encourage that, however when you begin throwing issues at individuals’s automobiles, and attempting to interrupt their home windows and pull them out of the automobile, it’s not a protest, that’s what you name a riot,” Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) mentioned.
He referenced a case from final summer time, after a household in Tulsa was surrounded by protesters on the street.
“Let’s say they get a hammer out or on this case, possibly a barbecue grill, which I noticed one man carrying, and attempting to throw it on the automobile, and so your kids are within the again, he’s attempting to interrupt the window to tug you out of the automobile, your kids out of the automobile, which has efficiently occurred in Oklahoma Metropolis, the place they pulled a gentleman out of a truck and beat him near the sting of his life,” Standridge mentioned.
Nevertheless, DPS and Oklahoma Metropolis Police say they do not recall dealing with a case like that.
Rep. Kevin West (R-Moore) says every case shall be reviewed completely.
“Will probably be checked out by a district lawyer, and most certainly could be going by the courtroom system,” he mentioned. “These days there’s loads of video proof.”
Critics say the invoice may have a chilling impact on free speech.
“They’re risking their lives. Folks will really feel empowered to drive by protestors and that’s actually scary,” Nicole McAfee, director of coverage and advocacy for ACLU Oklahoma, mentioned. “The legislature will pull out each cease and trample on our rights and liberties to make sure that white Oklahomans of their automobile, if they’re inconvenienced by a protest, which is meant to be an inconvenience, can drive by protestors moderately than for a second really feel fearful.”
The ACLU can be not ruling out authorized motion.
“Litigation is certainly one of many instruments in our bucket that we use time and time once more to combat laws on the Oklahoma legislature so it’s undoubtedly on the desk,” McAfee mentioned.
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