Thread by @TheBlackTimesOK

Some of our information we tweeted earlier today regarding anti-speech bills for the OK 2021 legislative session was incorrect.

We deeply apologize for the mistake, and will do better for our audience & community.

Here is a thread with corrections.

Attention All OKLAHOMANS!

Oklahoma Law-Makers has authored several anti-speech bills for the 2021 session.

Ranging from felony/ 2 yr prison sentences for protesting in public streets , to protection against drivers who hit demonstrators.

HB 1674 would make it illegal for protestors to block traffic, & creates protections for drivers who “unintentionally” hit people while fleeing from a “riot”.

People who block traffic can face 1 yr in prison, & a $5,000 fine.

Over 100 protestors were hit with cars in 2020.

HB 1561 would make it illegal for protestors to the public streets, and punishable by 2 yrs in prison.

The street has historically been a tool utilized by activists to demonstrate against injustice.

In 2018 hundreds of educators would’ve been charged with a felony, and 2-year prison sentence later for organizing mass protests leading to the OK Capitol building.

HB 1561 also includes protections for drivers who injure or kill someone while “fleeing from a riot” if they had “reasonable belief” that they needed to protect themselves.

HB 1565 would require state employees convicted of “Incitement to riot” or “unlawful assembly” to immediately be terminated from their job, and barred from future positions of employment with any government agency.

HB 1578 creates new penalties for “vandalizing” or “defacing” any property owned by a government entity.

Punishable by at least 2 and up to 10 years in prison.

HB 1578 also prohibits intentionally causing “annoyance” or “threatening behavior” while at a public accommodation.

Punishable by min 1 yr in jail.

Who will judge how noisy a protest can be, or what is deemed threatening behavior?

HB 2094 would wave the state’s immunity from civil lawsuits for damage caused by protests resulting from a “riot” or
“civil disobedience”.

This would encourage local government to respond overly aggressive law enforcement response to peaceful demonstrators to avoid lawsuits.

HB 2096 would create new penalties for “nondestructive” acts of expression during protests, and offenders can face a felony/ up to 10 years in prison.

HB 2464 also creates a new felony offense for anyone who participates in a “riot” ( defined as a group of three or more who make any threat to use force.), and intentionally “obstructs” traffic.

Punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

SB 806 would newly add “riot” and “unlawful assembly” to the underlying crimes that can be prosecuted for “racketeering activity” under Oklahoma’s RICO statute. “Racketeering” includes attempt, conspiracy, and solicitation.

SB 806 targets an organization or individual found to have“conspired” with others to engage in a protest that is deemed a “riot” or “unlawful assembly” that could be prosecuted under RICO.
Violations under the RICO statute are a felony, punishable by at least 10 years in prison.

Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution enumerates the rights of all citizens of the state of Oklahoma.

These include that all political power derived in the people the inherent rights “to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, the right to PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE.”

This is a direct attack on Oklahoman's constitutional rights.

Oklahoma State slogan is
“Imagine That”

Imagine losing fundamental rights key to participating in American Democracy.