Republicans in eight states have proposed bills that would criminalize peaceful protesting a right that is guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Initially, legislationwas proposed in five states: Iowa, Michigan, Washington State, Minnesota and North Dakota. The bill in North Dakota says motorists can freely run over protesters as long as it is done “unintentionally.” Laws have since been proposed inIndiana, Colorado and Virginia.
Protests have taken place all across the country in response to the election of President Donald Trump, particularly Saturday’s Women’s March on Washington, a grassroots women-led movement that rallied protesters of all genders and backgrounds in Washington, D.C., as well as inspired sister marches across the globe.
