Last summer, we saw the strength of our people power.
John, our persistent, loud and clear voices, our presence in the streets despite the global pandemic, and organizing efforts across the country were instrumental in obtaining a modicum of accountability for George Floyd.
But as the nation reacts to the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, 34 states are introducing, and in several cases have passed, new punitive anti-protest bills to strike down the very people power that got us here.1
John, this is where you come in. We can’t let them silence us.
Last summer people came out in historic numbers as we saw a groundswell of protest and actions in support of Black Lives.2 And protests were overwhelmingly peaceful. In fact, it was often the police and counter protesters who were the instigators of any violence.3
As a result of our collective action against white supremacy and efforts to end the police terror of Black communities, protesters are now facing unprecedented backlash from Republican lawmakers. State lawmakers have introduced 81 anti-protest bills during the 2021 legislative session — more than twice as many proposals as in any other year.4
They’re trying to take away our right to protest injustice, while granting impunity to counter protesters who harm us. Take a look:
- Republican legislators in Florida, Oklahoma, and Iowa have already passed bills to protect drivers who strike and injure protesters.5
- In Florida, ground zero for these bills, Governor Ron DeSantis signed sweeping anti-protest legislation that includes preventing protestors from being released on bail until they have appeared before a judge, and increasing penalties for taking down monuments - making the offense a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.6
- A proposal in Indiana would ban anyone convicted of unlawful assembly from holding state employment, including elected office.7
- In Minnesota, anyone convicted of unlawful protesting would not be able to receive student loans, unemployment benefits or housing assistance.8
And these are just some of the anti-protest bills up for consideration. Other states with bills pending or approved include: Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Montana, North Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, Mississippi.
What we’ve learned over the past year is that police and prosecutors don’t need more tools to abuse our constitutional rights. But, that’s exactly what these laws would give them.
Take action now and demand our state governors stop anti-protest laws.
John, as we’ve seen throughout history, where protests flourish, anti-protest laws follow.9
These bills are a direct reaction to our people power. They saw us take to the streets, take care of each other, grow our community, and demand accountability.
And we won’t be stopped now. Keep using your voice to demand justice.
Add your name to our petition demanding these 34 state governors protect our right to protest today.
Until justice is real,
Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Malachi, Erika, Megan, Ernie, Palika, Madison, Ariel, Trevor, Ana, McKayla, and the rest of the Color Of Change team.
REFERENCES:
1. G.O.P. Anti-Protester Bills Include Immunity for Hitting Them With Cars. (2021, April 21). New York Times. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/302416?t=7&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
2. Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History. (2020, July 3). New York Times. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/255698?t=9&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
3. This Summer’s Black Lives Matter Protests Were Overwhelmingly Peaceful, Our Research Finds. (2020, October 16). Washington Post. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/302417?t=11&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
4. US Protest Law Tracker. (2021, April 22). International Center for Nonprofit Law. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/302418?t=13&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3 Urges Oregon Lift Opposition to Retroactive Application of Racist Non-Unanimous Jury Rule. (2021, March 30). Human Rights Watch. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/300616?t=15&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
5. State-level Republicans are making it easier to run over protesters. (2021, April 25). Vox. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/302419?t=17&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
6. Florida Adopts Nation’s Toughest Restrictions On Protests. (2021, April 19). NPR. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/302420?t=19&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
7. 34 states considering anti-protest bills introduced by Republicans: report. (2021, April 21). The Hill. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/302421?t=21&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
8. Proposed bill would make protesters convicted of an offense ineligible for student loans. (2021, April 18). The Minnesota Daily. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/302422?t=23&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
9. Where Protests Flourish, Anti-Protest Bills Follow. (2017, February 17). ACLU. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/302423?t=25&akid=50653%2E4731121%2EEQGHT3
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.
