From 2024: States Are Restricting Protests and Criminalizing Dissent
United States of Suppression is a series documenting the recent crackdown on dissent and protests in the U.S. This op-ed discusses what happens when protesting becomes a crime.
By Elly Page and Alana Greer
June 26, 2024
Excerpt: "Since 2017, 21 states across the country have passed new laws that restrict protests — nearly 50 in total — with dozens more being introduced annually.
"Most of these new laws increase criminal penalties for conduct, like interfering with traffic, involved in some kinds of protests. Under laws passed in states such as #Arkansas, #Iowa, and #Tennessee, protesters can spend up to a year in jail for 'obstructing' public #streets or #sidewalks, even though these are traditional venues for First Amendment-related activities. After protests against the #KeystoneXL Pipeline, 14 states dramatically increased penalties for trespassing, which would usually amount to a petty offense, if protesters enter lands with #pipelines or #pipeline construction sites.
"In many cases, these laws go further than punishing individual protesters to include the people and organizations that support them, putting organizers and community groups at risk. Under a recent law in #Oklahoma, an organization that 'conspires' with people to hold a protest can face felony penalties if the protest is deemed to be an 'unlawful assembly' — which state law defines vaguely enough to include a three-person protest that 'disturbs the public peace.' "
Read more:
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/states-restricting-protests-criminalizing
#CriminalizingDissent
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CriminalizingProtest
#CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol #PipelineProtestors #TrafficInterference #DisturbingThePeace #BogusCharges #Crackdown #SLAPPs #VagueLaws #ProtestOrganizers #ProtestSponsors #ProtestSupporters #FirstAmendment
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Her posture is upright yet relaxed; her hands are clasped together and resting gently on her lap, indicating she may be engaged in a task like knitting. Her gaze is directed straight at the camera with an expression that could be interpreted as contemplative or somewhat reserved. The setting includes wooden siding of the house visible behind her and to the right, suggesting modesty but sturdy construction typical of rural homesteads.
The photograph captures a moment frozen in time, conveying both the simplicity of daily life for individuals like Ma Burnham from Conroy, Arkansas, as well as offering insight into historical social conditions. The image serves not only as an artistic composition but also carries with it cultural and socio-historical significance reflective of rural America during Dorothea Lange's active years in photography.
The caption "15. Ma Burnham from Conroy Arkansas" implies that this photograph is part of a series, potentially documenting the lives or conditions experienced by various individuals across different regions within her work area. The source URL provided suggests further information [...]](https://mastodon.ozioso.online/system/media_attachments/files/114/357/724/146/365/828/original/e0021f7d7d2ee447.jpeg "The image is a black and white photograph depicting an elderly woman seated on what appears to be the porch of a rustic wooden house. She wears a patterned dress with large buttons down the front, which suggests practical attire for manual work or daily life in rural America during the early 20th century.
Her posture is upright yet relaxed; her hands are clasped together and resting gently on her lap, indicating she may be engaged in a task like knitting. Her gaze is directed straight at the camera with an expression that could be interpreted as contemplative or somewhat reserved. The setting includes wooden siding of the house visible behind her and to the right, suggesting modesty but sturdy construction typical of rural homesteads.
The photograph captures a moment frozen in time, conveying both the simplicity of daily life for individuals like Ma Burnham from Conroy, Arkansas, as well as offering insight into historical social conditions. The image serves not only as an artistic composition but also carries with it cultural and socio-historical significance reflective of rural America during Dorothea Lange's active years in photography.
The caption \"15. Ma Burnham from Conroy Arkansas\" implies that this photograph is part of a series, potentially documenting the lives or conditions experienced by various individuals across different regions within her work area. The source URL provided suggests further information [...]")
