I can’t see why any thoughtful member of a democracy isn’t appalled at the very idea of this bill.
- There are already laws against destruction of property. To create a separate law that specifically refers to protest will suppress individuals’ willingness to peaceably protest, regardless of what it says or how it is applied. Fear of police is rising, and I don’t think anyone wants to be bankrupted or imprisoned.
- This is only one of several similar laws being considered in a number of states, so it’s not just an isolated event.
- Even if this law is not such a big deal in itself (a point I disagree with), it represents a further chipping away at our democracy. Not only point 2, but there are plenty of other bits and pieces of our democracy that have already disappeared: voting restrictions, government invasion of privacy, secret travel bans, weaponization of police, etc.
- Let’s not forget that the Boston Tea Party, so loved as a positive point in US history, was an act of destruction of a bunch of crates of tea.
