lingo.lol is one of the many independent Mastodon servers you can use to participate in the fediverse.
A place for linguists, philologists, and other lovers of languages.

Server stats:

64
active users

#protestlaws

0 posts0 participants0 posts today
Continued thread

When are #ICEProtests ‘illegal’ in #Texas? Here’s what state and federal laws say

By Tiffani Jackson Updated June 12, 2025

Excerpt: "What are your rights to protest on public or private property? Your rights are strongest in “traditional public forums,” like parks, sidewalks and streets, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. While you generally have the freedom to express yourself on other public land, like plazas outside government buildings, it’s important that your actions don’t block access or interfere with the building’s intended function.

"On private property, the owner has the right to impose restrictions on speech. However, the government cannot limit your speech if you’re on your own property or have permission from the owner. It’s also important to remember that counter-protesters have the same rights to free expression, and police must treat both protesters and counter-protesters equally.

"Is it legal to take photos or video protests, police or government buildings? You are legally allowed to photograph anything in plain view, including government buildings and law enforcement officers, when you’re in a public area.

"On private property, however, the property owner may have their own rules about photography or video recording.

"What is an ‘illegal protest’? Protesting is a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment, but not every demonstration is automatically legal. According to the Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan foundation dedicated to preserving the First Amendment, the following actions can cross the line and turn a peaceful protest into one that could get you arrested:

- Violence or destruction of property – If a protest turns violent, involves #vandalism, or causes harm to people or property, it’s no longer protected under #FreeSpeech laws.

- Trespassing on private property – Protests are generally allowed in public spaces, like sidewalks and parks. But if demonstrators enter private property without permission, they could face trespassing charges.

- Blocking roads or public services – #Marching in the street without a permit or blocking traffic can make a protest illegal. Many cities require permits for demonstrations, especially those that could disrupt public order.

" 'It can’t be about the content of the speech, because content and viewpoint are protected by the #First =Amendment,' TCU media law professor and First Amendment expert Daxton “Chip” Stewart said. 'It has to be about something else. A protest that #BlocksTraffic, for example, or that arises to violence.' Texas laws about protesting

"According to the Texas Law Library, there are specific restrictions on where protests cannot take place.

"For example, it’s illegal to protest within 1,000 feet of a funeral service from three hours before to three hours after the event, as this could disrupt the service. Likewise, protests at #CriticalInfrastructure sites, like oil pipelines or #construction areas, are heavily regulated, with severe penalties for trespassing or disrupting these facilities.

"Additionally, blocking #highways, #sidewalks or any passageways that are accessible to the public — especially emergency routes—is prohibited, and doing so can lead to felony charges.

"#Protests that turn disorderly or disrupt lawful meetings also fall under legal restrictions. Finally, any actions that involve violence or #loud, disruptive noise are subject to criminal penalties.

"What are your rights if you protest on college campus? In 2019, Texas passed a law that made all common outdoor spaces on public university campuses 'traditional public forums.'

"This means that anyone — whether you’re a student, staff member, or just someone from the community — can express themselves, whether that’s through protests or other demonstrations, as long as it’s lawful and doesn’t seriously disrupt the university’s operations."

Read more:
star-telegram.com/news/local/f

#TexasResists #NoKingsEvents
#NonViolentProtests #ProtestLaws #Project2025 #Authoritarianism #AntiProtestLaws #TrafficInterference

Anyone in #Texas -- make sure you check out the latest #AntiProtestLaws! They have a lot of lame excuses to arrest folks!

Gov. Abbott deploys over 5,000 Texas #NationalGuard troops ahead of planned ‘#NoKings’ protests

By JIM VERTUNO
Updated 1:15 PM EDT, June 12, 2025

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — "Texas Gov. #GregAbbott said Thursday he has ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, along with more than 2,000 state police, to help local law enforcement manage protests against President Donald Trump and the ongoing federal immigration raids.

"Abbott’s announcement did not detail where the troops were sent, but some were seen at a protest Wednesday night in downtown San Antonio near the Alamo. That protest drew hundreds of demonstrators but did not erupt into violence.

"More protests are planned on Saturday in #SanAntonioTX and across Texas in cities such as #HoustonTX, #AustinTX and #DallasTX as part of the national 'No Kings' movement.

"Protests earlier this week in Austin and Dallas led to brief clashes with police who used chemical irritants to disperse the crowds. About a dozen were arrested.

"'Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump’s enforcement of immigration law,' Abbott said. 'Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be arrested and held accountable to the full extent of the law.' "

Source:
apnews.com/article/immigration

Continued thread

2/2 US Protest Law Tracker - Updates to #Federal #Protest Laws introduced in 2025.

Latest updates: Jun. 10, 2025 (US Federal)

#S982: Potential penalties for #universities based on protest #policies

Would make federal accreditation of colleges and universities—and thus their access to federal funds—contingent on the institution’s policies on responding to protests. Under the “No Tax Dollars for College #Encampments Act of 2024,” universities would have to regularly disclose how they respond to campus “incidents of civil disturbance,” defined to include “a demonstration, riot, or strike,” and their accreditation would be linked to such policies and practices. The bill sponsor cited #ProPalestine campus protests as motivation for the bill; he introduced the same bill in 2024.
(Full text of bill: congress.gov/bill/119th-congre)
Status: pending
Introduced 12 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Campus Protests, Riot

#HR2065: Harsh penalties for protesters who conceal their identity

Would make it a federal crime, subject to a lengthy prison sentence, to wear a #mask or other disguise while protesting in an "intimidating" or “oppressive” way. Under the “Unmasking Hamas Act,” anyone "in disguise, including while wearing a mask" who "injures, oppresses, threatens, or intimidates any person" exercising their constitutional rights could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison as well as fined. The bill does not define “oppress,” nor does the bill specify what is meant by “disguise,” other than that it includes a “mask.” The bill’s substantive provisions are identical to the “Unmasking Antifa Act,” which lawmakers have introduced in several previous sessions. Sponsors of the bill made clear that it is a response to pro-Palestine protesters, some of whom have worn masks to avoid retaliation.
(Full text of bill: congress.gov/bill/119th-congre)
Status: pending
Introduced 11 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): #FaceCovering

S 937: Barring student protesters from federal loans and loan forgiveness

Would exclude student protesters from federal financial aid and loan forgiveness if they commit any crime at a campus protest. The bill would cover someone convicted of “any offense” under “any Federal or State law” that is “related to the individual’s conduct at and during the course of a protest” at a college or university. As such, a student convicted of even a nonviolent, state law misdemeanor at a campus protest, such as failing to disperse, would be deemed ineligible for federal student loans; they would also be ineligible for having existing federal loans forgiven, cancelled, waived or modified. The sponsor of the bill said it was a response to pro-Palestine protests at colleges and universities.
(Read full text of bill: congress.gov/bill/119th-congre)
Status: pending
Introduced 11 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Campus Protests, Limit on Public Benefits

#HR1057: Penalties for protesters on interstate #highways

Would create steep new penalties for protesters deemed to be “deliberately delaying traffic,” “standing or approaching a motor vehicle,” or “endangering the safe movement of a motor vehicle” on an interstate highway “with the intent to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of the interstate highway.” The new federal offense would be punishable by up to $10,000 and 15 years in prison—a far harsher penalty than is the case under many states' laws, which generally already criminalize walking or standing on the highway. The bill provides an exception for “any lawful activity” authorized by federal, state, or local law. However, it could still seemingly cover far more than “blocking” the interstate, including a peaceful protest on the shoulder of an interstate or a convoy-style, driving protest that slowed traffic. The sponsor of the bill made clear that it was in response to protesters. The same bill was introduced as HR 7349 in 2024.
(Full text of bill: congress.gov/bill/119th-congre)
Status: pending
Introduced 6 Feb 2025.
Issue(s): #TrafficInterference

1/2 US Protest Law Tracker - Updates to #Federal #Protest Laws introduced in 2025.

Latest updates: Jun. 10, 2025 (US Federal)

Providing for deportation of non-citizens who commit protest-related offenses

Would cancel the visa of any individual convicted of protest-related crimes and provide for the individual’s deportation within 60 days. Under the bill, individuals convicted of any “crime (i) related to [their] conduct at and during the course of a protest; (ii) involving the defacement, vandalism, or destruction of Federal property; or (iii) involving the intentional obstruction of any highway, road, bridge, or tunnel” would be deportable. The bill requires that such individuals’ visas be “immediately” cancelled and the individuals removed from the US within 60 days. If enacted, a non-citizen convicted of even a nonviolent misdemeanor “related to” a protest, such as trespass or disorderly conduct, could face deportation. The bill’s sponsor cited protests around immigration raids in #LosAngeles as the impetus for his bill.
(Full text of Bill: cotton.senate.gov/imo/media/do)
Status: pending
Introduced 10 Jun 2025.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference

Heightened penalties for "#riot" offenses

Would amend the federal #AntiRioting law to raise the maximum penalty to ten years in prison, instead of five, for participating in or inciting a “riot,” or aiding or abetting someone to do so. The federal definition of “riot” is broad, requiring only a “public disturbance” where one individual in a group commits violence. Under the bill, someone who committed or abetted an “act of violence” during the commission of a “riot” offense would face a minimum one-year sentence, while an individual who assaulted a law enforcement officer would face a sentence of at least one year and up to life in prison. Federal law defines “act of violence” broadly to include using force against #property—or just attempting or threatening to use such force. As such, if enacted, the bill could result in steep criminal penalties for protesters who do not actually engage in violence or destructive conduct. The bill’s sponsor cited protests around immigration raids in Los Angeles as the impetus for his bill.
Status: pending
Introduced 10 Jun 2025.
Issue(s): Riot

HR 2272: Blocking #FinancialAid to students who commit a "riot"-related offense

Would bar federal financial assistance and loan forgiveness for any student convicted of a crime in connection with a “riot.” The bar would apply to students convicted of “rioting” or “a) inciting a riot; b) organizing, promoting, encouraging, participating in, or carrying on a riot; c) committing any act of violence in furtherance of a riot; or d) aiding or abetting any person in inciting or participating in or carrying on a riot or committing any act of violence in furtherance of a riot.” Many states define “riot” broadly enough to cover peaceful protest activity; many also have broad laws criminalizing “incitement to riot” that cover protected expression. The bill would bar financial aid and #LoanForgiveness for students convicted under such provisions. As written, the bill would also bar financial aid and loan forgiveness to students convicted of any offense related to “#organizing, #promoting, encouraging” a riot, or “aiding and abetting” incitement or participation in a riot, which could cover an even wider range of expressive conduct, from sharing a social media post to cheering on demonstrators in a protest that was deemed a “riot.”
(Full text of bill: congress.gov/bill/119th-congre)
Status: pending
Introduced 21 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): #CampusProtests, Riot, Limit on #PublicBenefits

#HR2273: Providing for visa revocation and deportation of #noncitizens who commit a "riot"-related offense

Would require the Secretary of State to revoke the visa of and make deportable a noncitizen #student, #scholar, #teacher, or #specialist convicted of a crime in connection with a “riot.” Under the bill, individuals in the US on an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa would have their visas revoked and would be deportable if they were convicted of “rioting” or “a) inciting a riot; b) organizing, promoting, encouraging, participating in, or carrying on a riot; c) committing any act of violence in furtherance of a riot; or d) aiding or abetting any person in inciting or participating in or carrying on a riot or committing any act of violence in furtherance of a riot.” Many states define “riot” broadly enough to cover peaceful protest activity; many also have broad laws criminalizing “incitement to riot” that cover protected expression. The bill would provide for the deportation of foreign students, scholars, and others convicted under such provisions. As written, the bill would also provide for their deportation if convicted of any offense related to “organizing, promoting, encouraging” a riot, or “aiding and abetting” incitement or participation in a riot, which could cover an even wider range of expressive conduct, from sharing a #SocialMediaPost to cheering on #demonstrators in a protest that was deemed a “riot.”
(Full text of bill: congress.gov/bill/119th-congre)
Status: pending
Introduced 21 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Campus Protests, Riot

#S1017: New federal criminal penalties for protests near #pipelines

Would create a new federal #felony offense that could apply to protests of planned or operational pipelines. The bill would broadly criminalize under federal law “knowingly and willfully” “#vandalizing, tampering with, disrupting the operation or construction of, or preventing the operation or construction of” a gas pipeline. A range of peaceful activities could be deemed “disrupting… the construction of” a pipeline, from a rally that obstructs a road used by construction equipment, to a #lawsuit challenging a pipeline’s #permit or# zoning approval. The bill does not define “disrupt,” such that even a brief delay would seemingly be covered. Further, the underlying law provides that any "attempt" or "conspiracy" to commit the offense would be punished the same as actual commission. As such, individuals as well as organizations that engage in the planning or facilitation of a protest that is deemed to “disrupt” pipeline construction could be covered. The offense would be punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for an individual, or $500,000 for an organization.
(Full text of bill: congress.gov/bill/119th-congre)
Status: pending
Introduced 13 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Protest Supporters or Funders, #Infrastructure

#ProtestLaws #protestors #protestors_in_prison #CivilLiberties #Fascism #USA #USPol #NoKings #Project2025 #TrumpIsAFascist