DoomsdaysCW<p>State by State Pending and Recently Passed <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/AntiProtestLaws" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>AntiProtestLaws</span></a>: <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Arkansas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Arkansas</span></a></p><p>HB 1508: New penalties for <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/protesters" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>protesters</span></a> who block <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/traffic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>traffic</span></a>, "<a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/riot" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>riot</span></a>", or damage <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/monuments" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>monuments</span></a></p><p>As enacted, the law increases the penalty for obstructing a "public passage", from a Class C to a Class A misdemeanor. As such, an individual in a protest that makes a sidewalk "impassable to pedestrian... traffic" could face up to one year in jail. The law also creates a new mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in jail for "rioting", and requires restitution for any injury or damage as a result of the offense. Rioting is defined in Arkansas to include engaging with two or more persons in "tumultuous" conduct that creates a "substantial risk" of "public alarm." The law requires that a person convicted of inciting a riot likewise pay restitution for any injury or damage as a result of the offense. The law provides that the state Attorney General may initiate an investigation into cases of riot, inciting riot, and obstructing a highway or other public passage. Finally, the law amends the definition of "act of terrorism" under Arkansas law, to include any act that causes "substantial damage" to a public "monument." It is not clear whether graffiti or other painting applied to a monument as part of a protest could comprise a terrorist act under the new law.<br>Full text of bill: <a href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=HB1508&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R&Search=" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detai</span><span class="invisible">l?id=HB1508&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R&Search=</span></a></p><p>Status: enacted</p><p>Introduced 22 Feb 2021; Approved by House 19 April 2021; Approved by Senate 22 April 2021; Signed by Governor Hutchinson 29 April 2021</p><p>Issue(s): Riot, Terrorism, <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/TrafficInterference" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>TrafficInterference</span></a></p><p>HB 1321: New penalties for protests near gas and oil pipelines</p><p>Introduces harsh new penalties for protestors around gas and oil pipelines and other "critical infrastructure." The law broadly defines "critical infrastructure" to include a range of posted or fenced-off areas associated with natural gas and crude oil production, storage, and distribution, including above and below ground pipelines as well as <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/pipeline" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>pipeline</span></a> construction sites and equipment. Under the law, purposely entering or remaining on any "<a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriticalInfrastructure" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CriticalInfrastructure</span></a>" is a Class D felony, punishable by up to 6 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Separately, the law provides that trespassing on property outside of a city or town, regardless of whether it is posted, is a Class D felony if the property is "critical infrastructure." In nearly all other cases, trespass is a misdemeanor or minor violation. The law also creates a felony offense for anyone who purposely and unlawfully "causes damage" to critical infrastructure. Any amount of "damage," which the law does not define is a Class B felony under the law, punishable by 20 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Under the law, protesters who hold a peaceful sit-in at a pipeline construction site and paint protest slogans on construction material, for instance, could face lengthy prison sentences.</p><p>Full text of bill: <a href="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1321&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R&Search=" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detai</span><span class="invisible">l?id=hb1321&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R&Search=</span></a></p><p>Status: enacted</p><p>Introduced 27 Jan 2021; Approved by House 9 March 2021; Approved by Senate 1 April 2021; Signed by Governor Hutchinson 14 April 2021</p><p>Issue(s): Infrastructure, Trespass</p><p>HB 1578: Expanded Civil Liability for Those Who Incite a Riot and Criminal Penalties for Obstructing First Responders</p><p>Creates a civil cause of action for a person who is injured or has property damaged as a "direct or indirect" result of a "riot" against a person who commits "riot" or a person or entity who incites a riot. Arkansas law defines both "riot" and "incitement" broadly, creating potential liability for protesters or organizations who are interpreted to have urged others to have engaged in tumultuous or violent conduct. </p><p>Full text of bill: <a href="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=HB1578&ddBienniumSession=2017%2F2017R" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detai</span><span class="invisible">l?id=HB1578&ddBienniumSession=2017%2F2017R</span></a></p><p>Status: enacted</p><p>Introduced 17 Feb 2017; Passed by House 2 March 2017; Passed by Senate 27 March 2017; Signed by Governor 6 April 2017.</p><p>Issue(s): Civil Liability, Protest Supporters or Funders, Riot</p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FirstAmendment" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>FirstAmendment</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriminalizingDissent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CriminalizingDissent</span></a><br><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Authoritarianism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Authoritarianism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Fascism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Fascism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Clampdown" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Clampdown</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriminalizingProtest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CriminalizingProtest</span></a><br><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CharacteristicsOfFascism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CharacteristicsOfFascism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/USPol" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>USPol</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriminalizingDissent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CriminalizingDissent</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/AntiProtestLaws" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>AntiProtestLaws</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CivilWarMonuments" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CivilWarMonuments</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Racism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Racism</span></a></p>