Protesters in Tennessee who break certain laws during demonstrations will now face harsher penalties, including losing the right to vote.
Legislators said the law is needed to"safeguard" the right for peaceful demonstration, to ensure the safety of state employees and first responders, and to prevent destruction of property.
The bill also imposes a mandatory minimum 45-day hold if convicted of aggravated rioting; enhances the fine for obstructing emergency vehicles from accessing highways; requires a court to order restitution for damaging state property; and creates a Class C felony offense for aggravated assault against a first responder — which carries a $15,000 fine and mandatory minimum 90-day prison sentence.
The governor said a provision requiring a warning to those camping illegally strengthened the bill, and cited the discretion of prosecutors and judges. “I think what we saw was a courthouse on fire and businesses being broken into and vehicles being damaged. We saw lawlessness that needed to be addressed immediately. And that was done so," Lee told reporters Thursday when asked about the bill.Contributing: Travis Dorman; The Associated Press
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Italy’s populist Five Star Movement is becoming a more normal partyM5S members voted to drop the party's opposition to formal alliances with traditional parties, at least locally
Read more »
An Ode to Bring It On's Cliff Pantone, the Alt Boy to End All Alt BoysTwenty years after Bring It On's debut, Cliff Pantone (Jesse Bradford) remains the best teen movie love interest of all time.
Read more »
Freed slaves founded this town. Their descendants fear postal cuts threaten voting rightsThe fight over cuts to the U.S. Postal Service and changes to vote-by-mail is highlighting the vital role of post offices in rural communities like Kendleton, where Black people have long had to fight for the right to vote.
Read more »
North Carolina, 1st state to begin voting for president, sees record number of requests for absentee ballotsRecord number of absentee ballots requested in state first to vote for president.
Read more »
Dueling demonstrations turn violent in downtown PortlandNine people were arrested in Portland, Oregon, police said, following another night of clashes between officers and demonstrators. Roughly 200 people marched on a police precinct overnight, with some carrying wooden shields for protection.
Read more »