‘Trespass Bill’ Would Violate Peaceful Assembly Rights
New bill passed by Congress makes it a felony to protest or assemble nearby protected government officials
The House of Representatives approved a bill on Monday that outlaws protests or civilian intrusions in any area where government officials are nearby, tearing away at the First Amendment right to peaceably assemble.
The new legislation would make it a federal offense for anyone to protest or assemble without permission on grounds where the Secret Service is protecting a government official or any building or grounds “restricted in conjunction with an event designated as a special event of national significance.”
The language of the bill is incredibly broad and open to the interpretation of prosecutors. Starting with making it illegal to trespass on the grounds of the White House, the grounds or buildings included as off-limits even cover those that the President – or whatever other official protected by the Secret Service – is residing temporarily. It would even include a peaceful protest outside a presidential candidate’s concession speech, for example.
Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) was one of only three in the House to vote against the bill. On his official Facebook account on Tuesday, Rep. Amash wrote, “The bill expands current law to make it a crime to enter or remain in an area where an official is visiting even if the person does not know it’s illegal to be in that area and has no reason to suspect it’s illegal.”
“Some government officials may need extraordinary protection to ensure their safety. But criminalizing legitimate First Amendment activity — even if that activity is annoying to those government officials — violates our rights,” he added.
The bill already passed the Senate on February 6 and has only to be signed by President Obama to become law. The government already has inordinate ability to crush free speech, silence protesters, and arrest civilians peacefully assembling, but this legislation would mark the beginning of the end of the First Amendment.
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MvGuy
February 28th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
AMAZING how QUICKLY the GOV turns FASCIST…………. Breathtaking…..!!!!!
Sheikh Yamoni Maker
February 28th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Give 'em an inch and they'll take light years.
Walter Cole
February 29th, 2012 at 12:37 am
Whatever happened to that oath millions of us have taken, the one that says we are to protect the Constitution against enemies from within the country? What should we all do about this direct attack against the Constitution? Do we just follow orders? What a dilemma.
Now we know exactly what it was like to be a German back in the 1930s. Well, maybe I´m exaggerating, after all the Nazis were providing jobs for everyone and building up their infrastructure. “Oh, but they were rounding up people and putting them into detention centers!” And what will American authorities do with those committing such terrible felonies as expressing their constitutional right to free assembly?
John Ellis
February 29th, 2012 at 4:15 am
As government already has a monopoly on the use of force and violence, the highest priority of any law should be to protect we the people from government. Problem is, U.S. government is not in the business of protecting, but plundering, as in Empire building with all its brutal imperialism and wars of aggression. So, government officials become the most violent of criminals and the sole purpose of government is to protect criminals.
curmudgeonvt
February 29th, 2012 at 7:49 am
"…House of Representatives approved a bill…" These are the same pols who stand at the microphone and rail against the government's intrusion into their lives.
Now, just wondering you know, but where do they think the government gets it's power to do what they claim? Maybe, just maybe, because these idiots pass bills that give the government the power? Maybe? Look in the friggin' mirror, 'holes.
Lorraine
February 29th, 2012 at 11:27 am
"The beginning of the end of the First Amendment…"?? If only… but it's closer to the end of the end. The fact is, for ever since the first ink salvo was fired – the passage of the so-called "Patriot Act" – ALL our Constitutional Rights have been under assault. But too bad most of the American sheep will remain oblivious… because none of those in Congress who pass these laws know or give a damn about the Constitution, either. In a word, we are getting the governbment we deserve. bah.
moe7
February 29th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
It's over. Imagine how things will be after the next terrorist attack.
muggles
February 29th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
There are two sets of "rights" in America. One set for important government officials and police state functionaries and thugs, the other for the proles.
Note that these fascist measures are being implemented by supposed liberal Obama, and you'll hear nary a peep from those quarters. If Bush had done this, the howls would be deafening.
Rick
February 29th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Land of the free!
jmsmaxwell
March 1st, 2012 at 9:13 am
Sounds like politicans are afraid of public discussion or comment about their corruption and useless
actions. Maybe they afraid that if they keep messing up or screwing the American People they
may be dipped in Tar and Feathers then ran out of town on a rail. But what is really sad is this
was passed by a Republican contorled House. I could probably understand it better if the Democrat
controlled Senate had done it based upon thier desire to destroy our nation and revery to having
dictator in office rather than someone elected by The People, for the People and of the People. This article makes me wonder what the heck is going on with the so called "Professional Politicans" are they afraid of the American People and the backlash of their corruption in office?
Debra Taylor
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:14 pm
We do have some recourse against this it's petition for a constitutional convention and amend our constitution. There is an attorney in Florida, Paul Antonori who has started the groundwork.
true justice
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:53 pm
The people number in the millions and are armed, civil uprising is near and the government pigs will not be able to hide behind there unjust laws anymore.
true justice
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:56 pm
censorship is a cowards only power.
Dominic Badalamenti
March 6th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
What can i do to help the cause Debra?? Can i contact this Atty. to join a (hopefully) growing list?
Leoncefalo
April 11th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
When the government(President and Congress) pass a law that is in direct conflict with the US Constitution, this initiates the process of initiative and referendum. The government will always try to get by with as much as possible, and it is up to the people to bring down the unconstitutional laws. Once the law is passed, like Citizens United, a grass roots move must undertake the ordinances that will strike down the law. Democrats do tend to get authoritarian and ' no one's head is higher than the king's (in this case Obama) and a petition to the White House website would be a starter to prevent the President from signing this bill into law.