x
Breaking News
More () »

House GOP revives push to crack down on highway protests

GOP Rep. Nick Zerwas says increasing the penalties for those protests from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor would improve public safety.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Lawmakers are clashing over a renewed attempt to increase penalties for protesting that blocks traffic, transit lines or at airports.

The Republican-led House Public Safety committee passed the bill on party lines Thursday over strong opposition from Democrats. The legislation started last year as a response to months of Black Lives Matter protests officer-involved shootings that snarled interstate traffic and blocked the airport.

Democrats argue that the existing criminal code can deal with crimes committed by protesters, such as assaults on police officers and damage to property.

GOP Rep. Nick Zerwas of Maple Grove, the chief author of the bill, says increasing the charging level for those protests from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor -- which comes with stiffer penalties -- would improve public safety.

He's trying to revive a measure was traded away in budget negotiations last spring.

Democrats called it an attempt to stifle citizens' right to protest. The bill will now head for a full House floor vote, where passage is assured because Republicans control that body by a decisive margin.

Before You Leave, Check This Out