Meanwhile, in Missouri a bill criminalizing our First Amendment right to peaceably assemble will receive a hearing on Monday, January 25th.

Thread on SB66 + Action Items

SB 66 is full of horrible public policy.

First, the state diminishes local control over budgetary policy. It does this by inserting language that makes communities reducing any law enforcement budget by more than 12% "ineligible to receive funds issued by the state."

2/

This is a direct attempt by the state government to interfere in local policing and community safety policy. Many law enforcement agencies, for example, have expressed interest in funding additional mental health providers or establishing drug counseling programs.

3/

If SB66 becomes law, decisions made by communities to reapportion 12% of funding from law enforcement to mental health/drug programs means state funds can't go to those communities.

This could include COVID-19 relief or flood relief that FEMA directs through the state.

4/

Second, SB66 shields drivers who run over protestors from any damage liability--so long as the protestor was "blocking traffic" and the driver was "exercising due care."

Let's be clear--when you hit someone with your moving car, you are *not* exercising due care.

5/

During the non-violent protests in Missouri over the summer, there were multiple instances of protestors being struck by or dragged by vehicles.

6/ https://www.komu.com/exclusive-woman-hit-by-car-at-columbia-protest-speaks-out/article_3f7fb8d8-c126-51e8-ac48-137382b5ce61.html

Third, SB66 would waive governmental immunity from liability and lawsuits when the government fails to protect "a person or property" from injuries sustained during an "unlawful assembly."

7/

Effectively, this means that business owners could sue their town for damage to their business sustained during a protest.

This would have a chilling effect on a town's willingness to permit protests for fear they may devolve into a violent, looting, damage-ridden affair.

8/

Businesses were damaged by looters and vandals and typically a business can file a claim with its insurance provider or seek help from various relief programs.

The solution is not to silence speech--but to help our small businesses recover with real, meaningful programs.

9/

Fourth, SB66 prohibits defendants who demonstrate on the highway, who riot, who conspire to riot, who commit institutional vandalism or who recklessly cause serious physical injury or who assaults a law enforcement officer or other first responder from receiving bail.

10/

Fifth, SB66 authorizes the use of deadly force when an individual engaged in an unlawful assembly trespasses onto private property. Deadly force can be used by the owner or by an occupant to whom the owner has given authority.

11/

Sixth, SB66 prohibits individuals found guilty of assault in the first or second degrees toward a police officer, firefighter, or EMS from receiving any probation or parole.

12/

Seventh, SB66 expands the definition of harassment to include causing emotional distress during an unlawful assembly.

13/

Eighth, SB66 creates a new crime called "unlawful traffic interference."

It makes it a felony to walk, stand, sit, kneel, lay or put an object in such a way that prevents a vehicle from driving on a street, highway, or interstate without a permit.

14/

This means that sit-ins, die-ins, and other mass demonstrations on public roads that have taken place since the Civil Rights movement would now be felonious activity in Missouri.

15/

Ninth, SB66 expands the crime of rioting to make it a felony if there is more than $750 in property damage during an unlawful assembly.

16/

Tenth, SB66 expands the crime of "institutional vandalism" to include vandalism of public monuments, which becomes a class B felony.

This would include vandalism of confederate monuments if they are owned or operated by public entities.

17/

To summarize, Republicans in the Missouri legislature are planning to:

withdraw state funds from communities in need if law enforcement budgets are cut

eliminate liability for Missourians who hit human beings with their cars

18/

Allow citizens to sue their local government if an unlawful assembly occurs

Deny bail to anyone white supremacists deem a rioter

Permits use of deadly force to protect property

Denies parole or probation to individuals who assault first responders

19/

Allows bystanders to protests to sue for emotional distress

Criminalizes demonstrations on public roads

Makes property damage > $750 a felony

Makes it a felony to vandalize confederate monuments

20/

The goal of SB66 is to criminalize our First Amendment right to peaceably assemble. Many of the new laws turn protestors into felons.

And if you're thinking--but why prohibit parole/probation?

Because felons who never see probation aren't allowed to vote.

21/

That's right.

SB66 is not only about criminalizing activity protected under the First Amendment, but it's also about voter suppression.

22/

It's about making sure those who protest racial injustice can't cast a ballot + therefore can't fix the laws a one-party state of white supremacists imposes.

It's a terrible piece of legislation. It's regressive public policy + it's goal is to silence black Missourians.

23/

So what can you do?

Here are some action items!

Let's do work, y'all.

24/24