Senate should nix attempt to silence Ohio protesters: editorial

Aggravated rioting is already a felony under Ohio law - but rightly requires aggravated circumstances, such as intent to use or cause violence or the use of, or intent to use, a deadly weapon. Felonious assault is also, by definition, a felony -- and in Cleveland, prosecutors didn’t hesitate to charge May 30, 2020 protesters with felony crimes when they believed the charges were warranted. Criminal damage to property is also already a felony in Ohio if it involves risk of harming others.

The purpose of creating a whole new set of felony crimes for protesters and those who organize protests, as HB 109 seeks to do, is clear: to discourage protests, including the peaceful exercise of protesters’ First Amendment rights. The bill was prompted by widespread protests after the 2020 murder of George Floyd that the bill’s backers note caused costly damage in Ohio cities. But given that the bill was written after Black rights protests, not following other protests, critics suggest its intent is actually to “

disproportionately target underserved and marginalized communities and minorities calling for justiceHB 109′s sponsors are GOP Reps. Cindy Abrams, of suburban Cincinnati, a former Cincinnati police officer, and Sara Carruthers, of Hamilton. The House passed it 60-35 with one Republican voting “no” and one Democrat voting “yes” .

HB 109 is a solution in search of a problem. The Senate needs to protect the civil liberties of Ohioans -- all Ohioans -- and sink this bill.

I’m guessing you don’t feel the same way about a bunch of truckers protesting, right?

they just dont want them to protest outside of their houses when they do unconstitutional things, thats on them, we need protests now more than ever until we can get government reigned back in. but im sure they are all for their 'peaceful' riots, i mean protests

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