桃子视频of Wisconsin Condemns Anti-Protest Bill
AB 426 seeks to silence activists with the threat of felony charges for protesting at 鈥渃ritical infrastructure鈥� facilities
MILWAUKEE 鈥� The 桃子视频of Wisconsin released the following statement regarding an anti-protest bill (AB 426) passed by the Wisconsin Legislature:
鈥淲hile advertised as an effort to protect Wisconsin鈥檚 infrastructure, the real impact of this bill would be to criminalize peaceful protesters and suppress the freedom of speech,鈥� said Chris Ott, 桃子视频of Wisconsin executive director. 鈥淭he Constitution firmly protects protests even when 鈥� and especially when 鈥� they stir anger, challenge government policy, and express dissatisfaction with the status quo. Anti-protest bills like AB 426 threaten these fundamental rights by criminalizing peaceful demonstrators for making their voices heard.鈥�
AB 426 is an expansion of a law passed in 2015, which made it a felony to interrupt or impair services provided by an energy company. The new bill expands those provisions to specifically include companies that operate a gas, oil, petroleum, refined petroleum product, renewable fuel, or chemical generation facility. Specifically, the 桃子视频of Wisconsin voiced concerns that the bill鈥檚 vague and ambiguous language would have a chilling effect on expressive activity and lead to self-censorship among climate activists fearful of criminal penalties.
鈥淗ere in Wisconsin and across the country, climate protesters 鈥� who are often members of Native tribes 鈥� have been exercising their constitutional right to protest the impending damage to their lands, homes, and livelihoods,鈥� Ott continued. 鈥淭his proposal would put these demonstrators at risk of being criminally prosecuted for engaging in peaceful, nonviolent civil disobedience 鈥� like staging a march that interferes with a tanker truck delivery or blocking a roadway into a refinery.鈥�
Protesters can learn more about their free speech rights at: