Oklahoma's Legislature on Wednesday gave final passage to billsthat seek to crack down on protests and prevent outbursts in local public meetings.
Several bills, including a measure that would grantcivil and criminal immunity for drivers who unintentionally injure or kill protesters while "fleeing from a riot" now head to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk.
The Senate gave final passage to House Bill 1674 by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore,and Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, that protects drivers if they feel fleeing from a riotisnecessary to escape serious injury or death.
Standridge said lawmakers support the right to protest, but there are concerns when protests turn into riots.
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He cited anincident in Tulsa where apickup pulling a horse trailer drove through a group of Black Lives Matter protestersdemonstrating on a highway. Several protesters wereinjured, including a man who was paralyzed from the waist down after falling from an overpass.
“We actually saw this happen here in Oklahoma last year when a Tulsa family was surrounded by rioters," Standridge said in a statement."Through no fault of their own, they were caught in a dangerous situation, and fearing for their lives, they were attempting to get away. The prosecutor declined to file charges, but that may not always be the case.
"This bill will protect innocent people trapped by a rioting mob.”
Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, expressed concerns that HB 1674'sdefinition of a riot istoo broad and couldinclude nonviolent protests.
He agreed nobody should attack cars or threatenOklahomans, butwarned HB 1674 takes things too far.
"Riot" is a sensitive word in Oklahoma,said Matthews, who leads the1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission.For years, the Tulsa Race Massacre was referred to as a riot, and manyBlack Tulsans are still reeling from that event, in part, because many insurance policies at the time excluded riot damage from coverage.
Matthews also chastised the Legislature for cracking down on protests in the wake of widespread Black Lives Matter protests andexpressed concerns that the legislation would disproportionately harm Oklahomans of color, many of whom feel protesting is the only way they can seek justice.
"It’s not cute, and it’s not cool that we’re trying to address what happened across America in passing every piece of legislation to keep people from protesting when African Americans are killed unarmed," Matthewssaid.
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HB1674would also update state law to classify as a misdemeanor the unlawful obstruction of a road or highway.
Local activist Jess Eddy, who has been involved with organizing numerous protests in the past year, called the Oklahoma Legislature's actions a disgrace.
"Those of us who have beenorganizing protests in the streets—what the United States Supreme Court has protected and established as one of the most sacred Free Speech Forums— will now have to take extraordinary and dangerous measures to protect ourselves and our rights in Oklahoma,"Eddy said in a statement.
HB 1674passed the Senate on a vote of 38-10. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, sided with most Democrats in opposing the measure. Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, supported the bill.
Other billsgoing to Governor Stitt
The Oklahoma House on Wednesday gave final passage to Senate Bill 403that prevents Oklahomans from willfully interfering or disrupting local public meetings.
Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, said the bill requested by Oklahoma County stems from when protesters interruptedsome county meetings.
In August, protesters shut down anOklahoma County Jail Trust meeting when theyexpressed concerns about the trust spending much of the county's federal COVID-19 relief funds on the county jail.
Republican legislators said similar rules are in place to prevent disruptions of state business, including legislative proceedings.
"We have a certain level of decorum that we adhere to in this chamber," said Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City."All this bill is is extending that level of decorum to (local) public meetings."
Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, said instead of cracking down on Oklahomans' speaking out atpublic meetings, the Legislature should work to solvewidespread jail management and policing issues that are causing protests.
"This conversation —a result of many, many frustrated people showing up at public meetings to demand that their voice be heard — is met with an attempt to just silence them," he said.
The Senate on Wednesday also passed legislation to make it illegal to post personal information about Oklahoma law enforcement officers, a practice known as doxxing.
House Bill 1643 would prohibit Oklahomans from publishing identifying information about law enforcement officers or public officials with the intent to "threaten, intimidate or harass."
Included in the definition of "public officials" are state elected officials, legislators and judges.
Correction: A previous version of this story included incorrect information about the votes onHouse Bill1674 and House Bill 1643.
