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[Shard]

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=6X8pSZFE

PHOENIX (AP) - The speaker of the Arizona House said Monday he won't hear a bill that makes participating in or helping organize a protest that turns into a riot an offense that could lead to criminal racketeering charges, a move prompted by negative national attention the legislation has received.

The measure passed last week by the Senate drew nationwide attention, particularly from civil libertarians, because it classified violent protest as an organized crime and said protesters who didn't initially intend to riot could still face criminal charges. That attention led Speaker J.D. Mesnard to decide Monday to kill it for the session.

Mesnard told The Associated Press that people all across the country now believe that the Arizona Legislature is trying to enact a law that will suppress their First Amendment right to assemble.

"It's gotten a lot of attention, and frankly whether it's fair or unfair, whether its accurate or inaccurate, at this point doesn't matter," he told the AP. "That's certainly not what the Legislature wants to be about - I know that's not what the sponsor wanted in the first place. The best way to send a very clear signal that we're not doing it is to not move the bill."

The Republican House speaker controls the path of legislation through his chamber, so Mesnard's decision means the bill is dead.

 

[Lkr]

"The destruction of private property as a form of protest. "
"What is the basis this country was founded on?"
"Correct"

 

[commedieu]

 

[valkillmore]

Resist. It's working.

 

[Darryl M R]

"It's gotten a lot of attention, and frankly whether it's fair or unfair, whether its accurate or inaccurate, at this point doesn't matter," he told the AP. "That's certainly not what the Legislature wants to be about - I know that's not what the sponsor wanted in the first place. The best way to send a very clear signal that we're not doing it is to not move the bill."

Bullshit. Keep taking those legislative L's.

 

[Trigonometrize.]

Quicker than I thought tbh.

 

[theWB27]

And yet some will say our voices aren't being heard.

 

[GK86]

Thank baby jebus. Fuck you, GOP.

 

[Slayven]

Bullshit. Keep taking those legislative L's.

They want the good old days where police could tune up somebody for being upitty

 

[SirClinksAlot]

Some actually good news from this state for once!

 

[mreddie]

Keep fighting.

 

[Flying Toaster]

We do stupid shit in my state GAF. But this proves there is hope.


Thank God this was shut down.

 

[ShadowSwordmaster]

Keeping fighting the good fight.

 

[Dubbedinenglish]

This was test run #1. Keep vigilant

 

[Darryl M R]

They want the good old days where police could tune up somebody for being upitty

Must have been when America was great.

 

[GameAddict411]

The GOP wants to turn this country into a police state. I am glad it was stopped.

 

[rjinaz]

Honestly I feel like it was just too soon. Had they tried this in two years and Trump is still around it may have actually worked. Maybe they'll try it again. Fuckers.

 

[How About No]

Very good

 

[commedieu]

Honestly I feel like it was just too soon. Had they tried this in two years and Trump is still around it may have actually worked. Maybe they'll try it again. Fuckers.

They'll push it through on a weekend or some shit. When no one is looking. That's the Republican way. Or slide it in with regulations on food trucks.

 

[H.Cornerstone]

They'll push it through on a weekend or some shit. When no one is looking. That's the Republican way. Or slide it in with regulations on food trucks.

Hey, you may take my freedom (to protest), but you'll never take my FOOD TRUCKS!!

 

[Silver Arrows]

BY THE TIME I GET TO ARIZONA

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

What will they try next? Make it illegal to feel angry?

 

[Shard]

What will they try next? Make it illegal to feel angry?

North Dakota tried to legalize vehicular manslaughter in regards to protesters but that bill was also killed.

 

[zashga]

Kind of sounds like they're just tabling it for now, not actually killing it permanently. What're the odds is comes back in a few months or next year when people forget about it?

 

[More_Badass]

Can this being killed be used as precedent in the future?

 

[Flying Toaster]

Can this being killed be used as precedent in the future?

Yes. It can be referenced.

 

[Averon]

I cannot imagine such a bill would be considered constitutional by the courts.