HB249 would label many peaceful protestors exercising their First Amendment rights as "economic terrorists" and increase penalties for obstructing traffic and sidewalks during a protest.

The bill makes it so a peaceful protestor who simply stepped foot on a roadway could face a felony charge. The bill would make protestors liable for the policing costs of an entire protest if that protest was deemed to be unlawful, and it requires police to break up any protest of 10 or more people if that protest obstructs traffic.

Thankfully, this bill was defeated by a 6-5 vote in committee after an outpouring of more than 1,700 messages from ACLU-NC supporters to House committee members.

Status

Failed

Session

2017

Bill number

Position

Oppose