Drivers who unintentionally hit protestors blocking roads illegally may receive immunity, and protestors may face more severe charges for violent and obstructive behavior. State Representative Ron Gant (R-Rossville) discussed this “anti-riot” legislation on Wednesday in a press release.
The bill would raise the penalty level for obstructing roads to a Class E felony, with a mandatory fine of $3,000 and the loss of voting powers. Those that unintentionally kill or injure protestors or rioters blocking roads would be immune from criminal charges. Additionally, those who throw objects at others or intentionally intimidates or harasses others may receive nearly a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. If someone throws an object and injures another, they may receive up to six years’ prison time.
Twitter users were asked whether they agreed that drivers should receive immunity if they hit protestors unintentionally. Over 60 percent of respondents agreed they should.
TN Lawmakers considering a bill to give 'criminal immunity' to drivers who unintentionally hit protestors in the street with their cars. Do you support this? @FOXNashville
— Jackie DelPilar FOX17 (@jsdelpilar) March 1, 2021
The assistant majority leader informed The Tennessee Star that the bill wouldn’t extend immunity to bad actors who intentionally hit protestors with their vehicles.
“This legislation promotes law and order and protects Tennessee communities against violence by safeguarding public roadways and increasing penalties for those who commit these reprehensible acts against innocent people,” stated Gant. “These senseless acts have no place in civil society.”
Last year’s protests in Tennessee following the death of George Floyd offer examples of the behavior addressed by this bill. Rioters in downtown Nashville threw objects at police, illegally blocked roadways, and destroyed property.
Currently, the “anti-riot” legislation is scheduled to appear before the Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday. Its companion bill in the Senate was introduced by State Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin). It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Highway Protest” by Fibonacci Blue. CC BY 2.0.
What a great idea. No more police serving hot chocolate to those blocking a Nashville Interstate. But police actually doing their job. Have novel of an idea.
If one is foolish enough to attempt to block a major vehicular thoroughfare, one should understand the risk of personal injury. The law that says, “Don’t block those streets when you protest” is not there to “limit free speech”, it is there to “protect your physical well-being”.
One can only imagine who this 38.3% are. Well, actually, we don’t have to imagine. It’s pretty clear.
License to murder.
Oh, so dramatic! If the Left proposed the exact same thing, they’d call it vehicular postpartum termination, and you’d go right along with it. Spinning the words the right way justifies anything, right?
Don’t play in traffic.
Free Americans support this.Time to stop the Democrat Marxists Terrorists! Take the Communist narrative away from them!