New bill created to increase penalties for protestors blocking public roads in Mississippi
New bill created to increase penalties for blocking public roads in Miss.
By Associated Press | January 29, 2021 at 8:07 AM CST - Updated January 29 at 9:36 AM
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Republicans in the Mississippi Legislature are seeking to increase the penalties for people who block public roadways during protests.
Some Democrats are concerned that legislation could be seen as criminalizing free speech.
Republican Sen. Chad McMahan of Guntown proposed The Freedom of Roadway Act to “criminalize the malicious obstruction of a public street, highway or road during an unpermitted protest.”