Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill granting legal protection to drivers who unintentionally kill a protester with their car while attempting to flee the scene of a riot.
“We are sending a message today in Oklahoma that rioters who threaten law abiding citizens’ safety will not be tolerated. I remain unequivocally committed to protecting every Oklahoman’s First Amendment right to peacefully protest as well as their right to feel safe in their community,” Stitt said after signing the legislation.
The bill, which passed the Senate in a 38-10 vote last week, makes obstructing a public roadway during the course of a protest a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. The legislation also says that drivers cannot be held criminally or civilly liable for injuring or killing a protester if they are “fleeing from a riot” and they have “reasonable belief” that they are in danger.
The bill was introduced in response to an incident in the state last year in which a driver drove through a crowd of George Floyd protesters that were blocking the interstate, injuring several of the protesters. The driver, who had his family in the vehicle with him, was not charged in the incident.
OKLAHOMA SENATE PASSES BILL PROTECTING DRIVERS WHO HIT PROTESTERS BLOCKING ROADWAYS
“The kids cowered in the back seat because they feared for their lives,” one of the Republican sponsors of the bill, Rob Standridge, said. “That’s what this bill is about.”
But Democrats have criticized the bill, claiming the language about a “riot” was too ambiguous and could be used to target peaceful protests.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
A group of protesters opposing the legislation was able to gain entry into the House Chambers inside the State Capitol Wednesday, but the session was resumed after the crowd left the building.
