Come August, protesters in Arizona who impede the ability of others to attend a political rally or government hearing or meeting, can be sentenced to as much as six months in jail and fined up to $2,500.
Governor Doug Ducey signed into law two bills that alter the way free speech is implemented in public spaces. HB 2548 is an expansion of an existing law addressing blocking access to public spaces. That law as written, only allowed for a penalty of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. Under the new bill, doing so becomes a class 1 misdemeanor instead of class 3.
The Arizona legislature decided to take up the measure after a rally for presidential candidate Donald Trump, was disrupted by about two dozen protesters blocking the road.
Some legislators who voted against the bill, saw the additional penalties as a violation of the rights of protestors to assemble.
“One man’s blocking a political event is another man’s expression of political beliefs,” he said during Senate debate. Farley predicted the enhanced penalty will be struck down by the courts,” said Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson.
The other law, HB 2615, addressed free speech on state college and university campuses. Like many institutions of higher education, certain parts of the campus are designated as free speech areas. In a federal lawsuit filed by students at Paradise Valley Community College, students allege that the college administration requirement that they secure permits before activities or to hand out literature, is a violation of their free speech. The new bill, which allows students to receive an award judgement if the court rules in their favor, could impact that case.
In a statement, Gov. Ducey celebrated the new laws.
“The First Amendment right of free speech is a bedrock founding principle of our Republic,” said Governor Ducey. “Likewise, part of the university experience is to be able to express diverse views, openly, without fear of retribution or intimidation – and to be exposed to other views and perspectives, even if they aren’t politically correct or popular. These bills protect free speech throughout our college campuses, and also ensure an individual’s right to engage in free speech isn’t shut down by someone else who disagrees with his or her perspective.”
Featured image by Elvert Barnes, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
