US Federal #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 #PeacefulActivities 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.

Status: pending
Introduced 13 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): Protest Supporters or Funders, Infrastructure

Full bill text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1017
#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #Pipelines #PipelineProtests #ThoughtCrime

S 982: Potential penalties for #universities based on protest policies

"Would make federal #accreditation of colleges and universities—and thus their access to #FederalFunds—contingent on the institution’s policies on responding to protests. Under the 'No Tax Dollars for #CollegeEncampments 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."

Status: pending

Introduced 12 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): Campus Protests, Riot

Post by bill's sponsor, Senator #JimBanks (R-Ind.):
https://www.banks.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-banks-introduces-the-no-tax-dollars-for-encampments-act/

Full bill text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/982

#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #StudentProtests #CampusProtests #CharacteristicsOfFascism

#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 '#UnmaskingHamasAct,' 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 '#UnmaskingAntifaAct,' which lawmakers have introduced in several previous sessions. Sponsors of the bill made clear that it is a response to #ProPalestine #protesters, some of whom have worn masks to avoid retaliation."

Status: pending

Introduced 11 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): Face Covering

Press release from bill sponsor, Congressman #AddisonMcDowell (NC-06):
https://mcdowell.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-addison-mcdowell-introduces-unmasking-hamas-act-strengthen-penalties

Full bill text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2065/text?s=1&r=64&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22actionDate%3A%5C%22119%7C2025-03-11%5C%22+AND+%28billIsReserved%3A%5C%22N%5C%22+OR+type%3A%5C%22AMENDMENT%5C%22%29%22%7D
#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #FreePalestineProtests #SurveillanceState #AntiMaskLaws #CiminalizingProtest