California lawmakers are pushing for a proposal to increase the penalty for protestors who obstruct highways, reflecting the growing frustration among both Republicans and Democrats towards demonstrations like the recent one that caused traffic disruptions on the Golden Gate Bridge.
A Republican-authored legislation successfully passed a critical committee vote on Monday at the Capitol. Surprisingly, the bill received crucial support from four Democrats, who defied the committee chair to help advance it.
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The full Assembly and Senate still need to pass the measure and gain the support of Gov. Gavin Newsom. However, the vote indicates a division among Democrats, who hold the majority in the state Legislature. The ongoing protests against the war have caused turmoil in major cities and universities, further exacerbating the divide.
Assemblymember Kate Sanchez has proposed a bill that aims to increase the fine for protesters who obstruct highways and hinder the passage of emergency vehicles. Under this bill, the current fine of $100 would be doubled to $200. In cases of repeated offenses within a span of three years, the penalty could potentially escalate to $1,000.
“These highway blockades are becoming increasingly frequent, reckless, and perilous,” Sanchez expressed concern. “We have already witnessed adverse effects on public health and safety as a result of these actions.”
On April 15, protesters caused a traffic standstill on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. They accomplished this by chaining themselves to stationary vehicles. Their demonstration was part of a nationwide movement aimed at advocating for a cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Sanchez, a representative of a Southern California district, expressed her concern about the impact of a previous demonstration on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. She revealed that this protest had caused a significant delay in three organ transplants at a local hospital. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, she stated, “That’s real. That’s someone’s health we’re talking about.”
Assemblymember Lori Wilson, chair of the Transportation Committee and representative of a Bay Area district, expressed her opposition to the legislation, stating that current penalties are adequate. She firmly believes that the bill is unnecessary and will not effectively address the issue at hand.
