Opponents say their civil liberties are at stake; supporters say the bill promotes public safety.
The Senate Transportation Committee considered a bill that would crack down on public protest on March 21, 2024. to criminalize unpermitted street protests and other activities that block passage through public places said it is unconstitutional, too vague and too broad to become law.or its companion, House Bill 386, is passed into law, certain types of protest could be counted among the state’s most serious crimes.
Kay Brown, a former state representative who lives in Anchorage, criticized the bill for lack of clarity and said it criminalizes constitutionally protected behavior.Patty Saunders, a former lawyer from Anchorage, said she is certain that lawsuits would be the result if the bill were passed and that the Legislature should account for the costs.
“Vague and overly broad laws can be applied selectively by law enforcement against parties engaged in disfavored speech. There is no way for the state to neutrally apply this bill,” Lim said, adding that the bill appears to criminalize homelessness. Protesters with the Just Transition Alliance gathered in front of the Capitol on March 21, 2024. “We don’t want to limit anyone’s freedom of speech, or right to assemble,” Vance said. “And this bill, in my mind, in no way does that. But it puts everyone on an equal playing field that says that their right to get from where they need to go, from point A to point B, is not going to be obstructed.”
They moved the bill on to the House Judiciary Committee, with Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, the sole vote against. The Senate Transportation Committee will take the Senate version of the bill up again next Monday. Elaine Schroeder, a Juneau resident and longtime activist, said the bill is a “frightening” attempt to curtail freedom of speech.
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