A freshly approved bill by the state house will provide legal backing and protection for drivers and motorists in North Carolina against protesters forming human walls on the road.
The bill was approved in a 67-48 vote late last week and is a response to protests that halted traffic in Charlotte last fall.
The sponsor of the bill, Republican Rep. Justin Burr told newsmen, “I became concerned for drivers after watching the recent protests which turned into riots in Charlotte and other cities”
“In a number of cases the protests turned riots resulted in violence and terrorizing of unsuspecting motorist, their passengers and property.”
“I strongly believe North Carolina should protect law abiding drivers from facing civil liability if a protester is injured while attempting to illegally block traffic on a public highway or interstate”, he continued.
The bill is still subject to an approval from the state senate. It is aimed at shielding drivers from lawsuits if they injure a protester or protesters obstructing traffic as long as they “exercise due care”.
A passage from the bill reads, “A person driving an automobile who is exercising due care and injures another person who is participating in a protest or demonstration and is blocking traffic in a public right-of-way is immune from civil liability for the injury”. “A person shall not be immune from civil liability if the actions leading to the injury were willful or wanton.”
Democrats in the state have some reservations about the bill. They say it is only applicable to situations where the victim is participating in a protest and blocking traffic. State Rep. Mickey Michaux, D-Durham County, told newsmen, “If you want to do something, you need to clear up the bill. It basically is plain and pure unconstitutional.”
Diamond and Silk's Opinion
If your life really matter then there is no way that you will have your life in the middle of the Highway. The highway is for traffic and you may get ran over by a Transfer Truck or a even a Car. If you want to march, go join a marching band.
~Diamond and Silk
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The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has steadily evolved from a fringe political faction into a highly visible movement, advocating for sweeping structural reforms to the United States economy and system of governance.