Occupy Laws

[MorGrendel]

The first of the "Occupy Laws" has ben passed, HR 347.
You can look it up.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-761010
https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/h ... otest-bill

[Berserker]

I don't see what the big deal is. This law simply allows the police to keep people away from locations where people receiving secret service protection are at the moment. People can protest outside of the building, they don't need to enter the building the president is visiting...

[MorGrendel]

So the crux of the change (as I understand it) comes in the application of the law.
1. DC roads are now considered "federal structures".
2. Blocking a road "disrupts government operation", which is a felony.
3. "Knowingly" removed from law, so as to make it easier to prosecute offenders. (less burden of proof, less probable cause)

Depending on the mood of the police or SS, but crossing the street in DC could be a felony.

One might say, what the big deal, they can protest in free-speech zones, but that sounds like Tiananmen Square to me. Protest against the government are by their very nature, not in the convienent for the government, and their purpose is to disrupt the government. America was/is a beacon because we embrace the history of our revelution, and protect civil disobiedience with the first amendment. These little laws don't challenge the first ammendment directly, but they each chip away at it.

[Berserker]

Ahh, I see. Now, is this only covering DC, or will this apply elsewhere in the country? Also, are these any streets in DC, or only streets (or portions of streets) where there is a federal building located?

I ask because generally when the gov't builds a building, they tend to also own the streets around them as well, but they allow people sometimes to use them (depending on how secure the building is). SSA allows traffic through their compound for example. But really, they do belong to the fed, and any criminal action while on those streets is considered a felony.

If it actually says that any street in DC is considered a federal structure, that's a pretty bold statement that I should think would get challenged in court.

[MorGrendel]

No, it is not limited to DC. Locations include anywhere Homeland Security or the Secret Service deem appropriate. The issue is that some of these locations are not public information, for instance, presidential routes, campaign stops, hotel lobbys, hospitals, safe houses, or are public events, such as sporting events, rallies, and concerts, where people pay to get in. And so (with some extrapilation) standing in line to use the restroom can be construded as impeding "an exit", a felony. So by removing "Knowingly", one could commit and accidental felony, which to me is excessive.