Kentucky's so-called 'riot' bill would make it a crime to insult, taunt a police officer
Updated: 1:12 PM EST Mar 5, 2021
Mark Vanderhoff
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Updated: 1:12 PM EST Mar 5, 2021
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ON THE DEBATE. MARK: THE BILL’S SPONSOR SAYS HE HAS MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES, BUT CRITICS STILL SEE THIS AS A DIRECT ATTACK ON LOUISVILLE’S PROTESTORS SEEKING RACIAL JUSTICE. >> IS NOT ABOUT LAWFUL PROTEST IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, FORM, OR FASHION. MARK: AMONG MANY THINGS, SENATE BILL 211 EXPANDS WHEN POLICE CAN USE "DEFENSIVE FORCE." AND IT REQUIRES SOMEONE ARRESTED DURING A RIOT TO BE HELD FOR AT LEAST 48 HOURS. >> IT’S TO PROTECT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS COMMITS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. IT’S TO PROTECT PROPERTY, THAT IS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE. MARK: SOME CHANGES TO THE BILL WERE ANNOUNCED IN COMMITTEE. A PROHIBITION ON CAMPING HAS BEEN SHORTENED TO 24 HOURS AFTER A RIOT. A PROVISION WAS DELETED THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN AWAY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FROM THOSE CONVICTED OF ANY CRIME DURING A RIOT. AND LANGUAGE THAT STRIPP CITIES OF STATE FUNDING IF THEY "DEFUND THEIR POLICE" WAS ALSO SOFTENED. >> WHENEVER WE GET INTO THE CONSTITUTION AND PROTECTIONS, IT SO FAR IN THIS IT’S DANGEROUS, AND WILL BE WORSE IN MY CITY THAT I REPRESENT AS FAR AS THE RELATIONSHIP WE ARE WORKING TO BUILD. MARK: OPPONENTS OF THE BILL SAY THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR LAWMAKERS TO TACKLE. >> WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT WHY PEOPLE ARE PROTESTING IN THE FIRST PLACE AND ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF WHAT IS CAUSING SO MUCH HURT AND ANGER IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND LOUISVILLE AND THE COMMONWEALTH. MARK: THERE’S ANOTHER PROTEST-RELATED BILL CRITICS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT. HOUSE BILL 479 WOULD ALLOW THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PROSECUTE PEOPLE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DECLINES TO. BUT THAT BILL HAS NOT MADE IT OUT OF COMMITT