U.S. Senator Ted Budd has joined forces with Senators Thom Tillis, Marsha Blackburn, Tommy Tuberville, and Bill Cassidy to introduce the Safe and Open Streets Act. This legislative proposal aims to classify the intentional obstruction of public roads or highways as a federal crime.
Senator Budd emphasized the importance of maintaining open roadways for public safety and daily activities. “Protestors who willfully block traffic pose a serious threat to public safety by impacting the flow of emergency vehicles and personnel,” he stated. He further noted that such actions can inconvenience individuals traveling for work, school, or personal matters. While acknowledging the First Amendment’s protection of peaceful assembly and protest, Budd asserted that it does not cover obstructive behavior.
Senator Tillis expressed concern over what he described as radical protest tactics involving road blockages. “The emerging tactic of radical protestors blocking roads and stopping commerce is not only obnoxious to innocent commuters, but it’s also dangerous and will eventually get people killed,” said Tillis. He stressed the need for national legislation to address these issues through legal penalties.
The proposed bill is seen as a response to recent incidents where anti-ICE protestors have blocked roads in various locations, including Los Angeles. The act seeks to impose fines or imprisonment for up to five years on those found guilty of such offenses.
