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2019-05-18 Home Front: Culture Wars

Texas bill would make protesting pipelines a felony on par with attempted murder

[AlterNet] A bill making its way through the Texas legislature would make protesting pipelines a third-degree felony, the same as attempted murder. "It’s an anti-protest bill, favoring the fossil fuel industry,...
A bill making its way through the Texas legislature would make protesting pipelines a third-degree felony, the same as attempted murder.

"It’s an anti-protest bill, favoring the fossil fuel industry, favoring corporations over people." ‐ Frankie Orona, executive director of the Society of Native Nations

H.B. 3557, which is under consideration in the state Senate after passing the state House earlier this month, ups penalties for interfering in energy infrastructure construction by making the protests a felony. Sentences would range from two to 10 years.

The legislation was authored by Republican state Rep. Chris Paddie. It passed the state House May 7 on a 99 to 45 vote, with two abstentions. The bill is being cosponsored in the state Senate by Republican state Sen. Pat Fallon.

In remarks on the state House floor during the bill’s passage, Paddie sought to assuage the fears of those who believe the legislation will target non-violent protest.

Posted by Besoeker 2019-05-18 07:06|| || Front Page|| [18 views ] Top

#1 People who are against energy production and distribution should put their money where their big mouths are: No more car, train or plane rides. We'll be glad to come audit your homes to make sure you don't have any nasty natural gas, propane or electrical hookups, and sorry, but those water and sewage lines have to go too, energy is involved in installing and maintaining them. Oh, and, I hope you are at least somewhat aware how oil and coal feed stocks figure in pharmaceuticals and most all other aspects of daily modern life. Enjoy your hemp shirt and backyard organic garden...

Posted by M. Murcek 2019-05-18 07:48|| 2019-05-18 07:48|| Front Page Top

#2 Coming soon, felonies for protesting abortion clinics, shoddy software companies and sleazy politicians. You either have free speech or you have Harvard.

This is a truly half-mast idea.

Posted by Mercutio 2019-05-18 13:40|| 2019-05-18 13:40|| Front Page Top

#3 This is a lie of a headline. Complete and utter bollocks. This bill makes it far more illegal than it already it to interfere with construction on other people's property, which the left thinks is a form of protest (it is not; it is terrorism, or at best, looting).

Posted by Sherese Smith6427 2019-05-18 13:48|| 2019-05-18 13:48|| Front Page Top

#4 The text of the bill appears to make a felony of criminal trespass combined with vandalism or damage to facilities. Not a lawyer, but it doesn't say you cannot protest. It says you can't break somebody else's stuff.

Posted by SteveS 2019-05-18 13:54|| 2019-05-18 13:54|| Front Page Top

#5 Apparently, attempted murder isn't much.

Posted by Skidmark 2019-05-18 18:33|| 2019-05-18 18:33|| Front Page Top

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