“Public expression and demonstration are fundamental rights, but…”
“Street take-overs and protesters blocking roadways are both
extremely dangerous for our communities and have no place in our state,” said
Senator Leonidas Raptakis (Democrat, District 33, Coventry,
West Greenwich). “Whether it’s protesters keeping people from getting to work
or going to the hospital for an emergency, and other duties of first
responders, or these outrageous street takeovers that block the use of and
vandalize our roadways, these troubling behaviors need to have consequences for
those who disregard others’ safety and time. Public safety needs to be
protected and upheld.”
RI DINOs need to reacquaint themselves with the Constitution
Because nothing can be better than politicians legislating
punishments for protests they dislike, Senators Raptakis and Patalano will
introduce two bills in January to keep roadways clear and safe for motorists
and pedestrians. They highlight the need for legislation due to protesters
blocking highways and the recent phenomenon of “street takeovers.”
Senators David Tikoian, Peter Appollonio Jr., Brian
Thompson, Andrew Dimitri, Robert Britto, John
Burke, and Stefano Famiglietti will cosponsor the
legislative package.
“As both a State Senator and a Major with the Cranston Police Department, I have seen firsthand the catastrophic consequences that occur when our roadways are turned into staging grounds for reckless stunts or obstructed by individuals who believe they can shut down highways without regard for the safety of others,” said Senator Todd Patalano (Democrat, District 26, Cranston). “We have already witnessed incidents across the country where blocked roadways delayed emergency medical care with tragic outcomes. Rhode Island cannot afford to wait until a family in our state suffers that same loss. Passing these bills is not about politics; it is about protecting the innocent and preventing the avoidable.”
“The ACLU will vigorously oppose this proposed legislation
because it is unnecessary and unconstitutionally overbroad,” commented Steven
Brown, Executive Director of the ACLU of Rhode Island. “It is
unnecessary because Rhode Island laws already impose criminal penalties for
obstructing a roadway, and there is no need for another law that is clearly
designed simply to be more punitive. It is overly broad because it could
criminalize a wide variety of innocuous activities and conduct protected by the
First Amendment, including that of panhandlers or activists standing on a
highway median to direct attention to a cause.
“There are numerous other ways to safely exercise one’s First Amendment rights to protest…” - Senator Tikoian
“Blocking any roadway, whether due to protest or illegal
gatherings like street takeovers, is unacceptable, and it creates a serious
risk for the surrounding public,” said Senator Tikoian (Democrat, District 22,
Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln), who is also a former Major with
the Rhode Island State Police. “There are numerous other ways to
safely exercise one’s First Amendment rights to protest without putting other
individuals in harm’s way, and lawless street takeovers have no meaningful
purpose other than disruption and vandalism. I am proud to cosponsor these two
important bills, and I will be heavily advocating for both pieces of
legislation.”
“Rhode Islanders hold our First Amendment rights as
invaluable. But…” - Senator Appollonio
“Highways, roads, and intersections must be clear for people
to go about their business,” said Senator Appollonio (Democrat, District 29,
Warwick). “Whether it’s normal, ordinary responsibilities or a life-and-death
situation, blocking roadways through protest or illegal activity is wrong and
should have severe consequences. Rhode Islanders hold our First Amendment
rights as invaluable. But when physical actions impede a major roadway, an
artery that is a lifeline for so many, those actions place others in direct
peril. At that point, what began as expression crosses the line into criminal
conduct. No right includes the right to endanger your neighbors. I fully
support this legislative package that will make our state safer for everyone.”
“In the unfortunate event of a serious emergency, the
consequences can be devastating, especially if a highway or an intersection is
obstructed,” stated Senator Thompson (Democrat, District 20, Woonsocket,
Cumberland). “The safety of Rhode Islanders should never be compromised due to
unnecessary disruptions, as the repercussions of such actions can lead to
tragic outcomes and heart-wrenching situations for families and communities
alike. This is precisely why the introduction and passage of these two bills are
of utmost importance. We have all witnessed the distressing news reports from
various parts of the country, highlighting the dangers and chaos that can ensue
when vital routes are blocked or hindered. It is imperative that we, as a
state, take a strong stance against such practices. We must firmly convey that
these actions are not only unacceptable but also intolerable in Rhode Island.
Our residents deserve better, and it is our duty to ensure their safety and
wellbeing.”
“Obstructing traffic on any road is simply dangerous and
asking for trouble and tragedy,” said Senator Britto (Democrat, District 18,
East Providence, Pawtucket). “First responders and the public at large need and
expect our roadways to be clear and safe, and that is why these two bills are
necessary to protect and support Rhode Islanders.”
“No one deserves to have their health and safety
jeopardized due to misguided protest actions…” - Senator
Burke
“No one deserves to have their health and safety jeopardized
due to misguided protest actions or dangerously selfish illegal behavior,” said
Senator Burke (Democrat, District 9, West Warwick). “These two pieces of
legislation will protect and save lives. It’s as simple as that.”
“There are far safer options of protest than blocking
highways…” - Senator Famiglietti
“The potential consequences of purposively blocking roads and highways could lead to catastrophe, and the public does not deserve to be put at risk like that,” said Senator Famiglietti (Democrat, District 4, North Providence, Providence). “There are far safer options of protest than blocking highways, and these street takeovers do nothing but intimidate the surrounding community.”
The first bill, which Senator Raptakis introduced in 2017 and 2020, would punish individuals found to have committed the crime of unlawful interference with traffic if he or she “stands, sits, kneels or otherwise loiters on any highway or roadway under such circumstances that the conduct could reasonably be construed as interfering with the lawful movement of traffic” or if that action causes “the interruption, obstruction, distraction or delay of any motorist operating a motor vehicle” on the roadway or highway.
“There are ways to demonstrate in a peaceful manner…”
- Senator Raptakis
“There are ways to demonstrate in a peaceful manner, and
there are ways to demonstrate that can be dangerous to other members of the
public,” said Senator Raptakis. “Even though it might be unintentional, it is
possible that protestors shutting down a highway could delay an ambulance on
its way to a hospital, causing grave harm or even death to the individual being
transported. What happens to the pregnant woman beginning her delivery, or the
heart attack victim, a structural fire when lives are in danger, or an elderly
person needing emergency help when seconds are vital for survival, from our
first responders? Should these people lose their lives or experience severe
repercussions due to the blocking of a highway during a protest? It could
impede firefighters on their way to an emergency or first responders heading to
a volatile domestic situation. Even the protesters themselves could be put in
great danger if they need emergency medical care and transport. There needs to
be consequences if a protestor’s premeditated actions cause harm or death to
the public.”
“Public expression and demonstration are fundamental
rights, but…” - Senator Patalano
“Public expression and demonstration are fundamental
rights,” added Senator Patalano, “but they do not include the right to create
violence, chaos, or life-threatening conditions on our roadways. When any
demonstration crosses the line from expression to endangerment, it is no longer
protected speech; it is reckless and dangerous conduct that puts innocent
people at risk. We cannot and will not allow highways to become battlegrounds
or stages for lawless behavior. The freedom to speak out ends the moment it
jeopardizes someone else’s safety.”
“I am proud to cosponsor and support this important piece of
legislation,” said Senator Dimitri (Democrat, District 25, Johnston). “We have
seen countless instances around the country over the years of chaos and
violence being perpetrated under the guise of protest. Blocking, obstructing,
or ‘taking over’ a highway or road poses immense danger to the public and the
individuals orchestrating this kind of action. While our Constitution
guarantees the freedoms of speech and assembly, it does not permit actions that
endanger the lives and safety of the public. Whether a pregnant woman in labor
on her way to the hospital, a fire truck on its way to a burning apartment
building, or hardworking parents on their way to their jobs, there is no reason
people should have their lives and/or livelihoods endangered by people
intentionally impeding traffic and blocking the road. I applaud Senator
Raptakis for introducing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support
it on behalf of all Rhode Islanders.”
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a
little temporary safety, deserve neither Liberty nor safety.” - Benjamin
Franklin
The second proposed bill, to be introduced by Senator
Patalano, would address “street takeovers,” illegal gatherings in the middle of
roads and intersections where drivers commit dangerous stunts on public
roadways while numerous spectators block the roads and sidewalks. The bill will
modify similar legislation proposed in Massachusetts that includes fines, jail
time, vehicle seizure, and license and registration suspension penalties.
“Street takeovers have become increasingly brazen,
organized, and coordinated through social media, with all forms of violence
taking place,” said Senator Patalano. “These events are not harmless
gatherings; they are extremely dangerous criminal actions that turn public
roads into arenas, endangering spectators, drivers, and every unsuspecting
motorist who may come upon the chaos. As law enforcement, we are too often the
ones arriving to find the aftermath: overturned vehicles, injured bystanders,
and terrified families who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong
time.”
“These street takeovers bring lawless chaos to our streets,
and this type of disruptive and dangerous behavior cannot be tolerated,” said
Senator Raptakis. “Social media fuels these illegal events, and we must send a
stiff and serious message through enforcement and punishment that street
takeovers are unacceptable and taking part in such behavior will have severe
consequences.”
“Violence, vandalism, and fear are the only things street
takeovers bring to our communities, and one only needs to see the aftermath of
such events to understand why there must be significant repercussions for
partaking in this behavior,” said Senator Thompson. “I applaud Senators
Patalano and Raptakis for tackling this serious issue that is plaguing
communities across the country.”
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