GOP senators target traffic-blocking protesters with five-year prison penalties

A coalition of Republican senators introduced a bill to criminalize protesters who block traffic after the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles saw hundreds of people flood the roads and close freeways. Here’s what you need to know about the federal protest legislation:

The Safe and Open Streets Act

Republican bill targets traffic-blocking protesters:

• Threatens fines and up to five years in federal prison for offenders
• Criminalizes those who “purposely” block public road “in any way or degree”
• North Carolina GOP Sen. Thom Tillis serves as lead sponsor
• Bill introduced by coalition of Republican senators

The Los Angeles inspiration

Recent anti-ICE riots prompted legislative response:

• Proposal inspired by rioters who took over U.S. 101 in downtown LA
• Hundreds of people flooded roads and closed freeways this month
• Protesters sparred with authorities over federal immigration enforcement
• Officers in riot gear used less-than-lethal munitions to clear roads

The violent confrontations

Protests turned destructive during enforcement clashes:

• Agitators threw rocks, bottles and other projectiles at police
• Adam Palermo, 39, charged in state and federal court
• Palermo accused of throwing rocks at squad car on the 101
• Suspect also accused of setting police vehicle on fire

Tillis’s rationale

Lead sponsor explains motivation for federal legislation:

• “Emerging tactic of radical protestors blocking roads and stopping commerce is not only obnoxious to innocent commuters”
• Called road blocking “dangerous and will eventually get people killed”
• “It needs to be a crime throughout the country” according to Tillis
• Senator made statement Monday announcing bill

The Republican co-sponsors

Five GOP senators joined Tillis on legislation:

• Ted Budd of North Carolina
• Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
• Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee
• Tommy Tuberville of Alabama
• All Republicans supporting federal criminalization measure

Blackburn’s concerns

Tennessee senator highlights public safety issues:

• Called road blocking maneuver example of “lawlessness that should not be tolerated”
• Said roadway demonstrations can prevent emergency vehicles from getting through
• Noted protests hold up people who need to get to work
• Emphasized interference with essential services

Tuberville’s domestic terrorism claims

Alabama senator labels riots as terrorist acts:

• Said riots gave way to acts of domestic terrorism
• “For nearly a week, we watched as domestic terrorists assaulted ICE and law enforcement officers”
• Accused rioters of setting fire to cop cars and blocking streets
• Criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass for inaction

The First Amendment argument

Tuberville addresses constitutional concerns:

• “The First Amendment gives us the right to freedom of assembly”
• “But it doesn’t give the right to block our streets and put American lives at risk”
• Argued constitutional rights don’t extend to street blocking
• Positioned bill as protecting public safety while respecting speech rights

The arrest statistics

LAPD reports massive enforcement during eight-day period:

• More than 550 people arrested during protests against ICE
• Eight days of protests occurred in Los Angeles
• Most arrests stemmed from curfew violations or failure to disperse
• Los Angeles Police Department provided arrest data

The criminal charges

Protesters face range of serious allegations:

• Attempted murder with Molotov cocktail
• Assault with deadly weapon on police officer
• Gun possession charges
• Resisting arrest violations
• Vandalism charges during protests

Read more:

• Republicans want to make protest traffic blockades a federal crime