DoomsdaysCW<p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/HR1057" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>HR1057</span></a>: Penalties for <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/protesters" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>protesters</span></a> on <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/InterstateHighways" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>InterstateHighways</span></a></p><p>"Would create steep new penalties for <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/protesters" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>protesters</span></a> deemed to be 'deliberately delaying traffic,' 'standing or approaching a motor vehicle,' or 'endangering the safe movement of a motor vehicle' on an interstate highway 'with the intent to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of the interstate highway.' The new federal offense would be punishable by up to $10,000 and 15 years in prison—a far harsher penalty than is the case under many states' laws, which generally already criminalize walking or standing on the highway. The bill provides an exception for 'any lawful activity' authorized by federal, state, or local law. However, it could still seemingly cover far more than 'blocking' the interstate, including a <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/PeacefulProtest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PeacefulProtest</span></a> on the shoulder of an interstate or a convoy-style, driving protest that slowed traffic. The sponsor of the bill made clear that it was in response to protesters. The same bill was introduced as HR 7349 in 2024. </p><p>Status: pending</p><p>Introduced 6 Feb 2025.</p><p>Issue(s): Traffic Interference</p><p>Press release by bill sponsor Rep. <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/MikeCollins" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>MikeCollins</span></a> (GA-10):<br><a href="https://collins.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-mike-collins-reintroduces-safe-passage-interstates-act" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">collins.house.gov/media/press-</span><span class="invisible">releases/representative-mike-collins-reintroduces-safe-passage-interstates-act</span></a></p><p>Full text of bill:<br><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1057" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">congress.gov/bill/119th-congre</span><span class="invisible">ss/house-bill/1057</span></a><br><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/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/CiminalizingProtest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CiminalizingProtest</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Section25" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Section25</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/JustStopOil" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>JustStopOil</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SlowMarch" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SlowMarch</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CharacteristicsOfFascism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CharacteristicsOfFascism</span></a></p>