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mahatmakanejeeves

(60,961 posts)
Tue Aug 15, 2017, 02:13 PM Aug 2017

Protections for drivers who hit protesters? 'No plans' to move bill, NC lawmaker says

Protections for drivers who hit protesters? ‘No plans’ to move bill, NC lawmaker says

BY PAUL A. SPECHT
aspecht@newsobserver.com

AUGUST 14, 2017 1:12 PM

Drivers who hit protesters in the street aren’t likely to get help from state lawmakers this year. ... The state House of Representatives approved legislation, House Bill 330, that aims to give civil and criminal immunity to motorists who unintentionally hit people in the middle of the street. Drivers would be protected if they exercise “due care” in navigating the street – but still hit protestors.

The bill, which hasn’t been considered by the Senate, drew renewed attention over the weekend. A 20-year-old man is accused of driving his car into a crowd of people in Charlottesville on Saturday, prompting some to call for the bill to be dropped.

The bill would likely have to go through the Senate Rules and Operations Committee before going to the Senate floor and then, if passed, to the governor. State Sen. Bill Rabon, the committee’s chairman, released a statement on Monday signaling the bill has no traction.

“As far as I can recall, none of the House sponsors have asked for this bill to be heard in the Senate, and there are no plans to move it forward,” said Rabon, a Republican from Southport. He released the statement through Shelly Carver, a spokeswoman for Senate leader Phil Berger. Carver said Berger, a Republican from Rockingham County, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Hat tip, Jalopnik:

North Carolina No Longer Thinks It's A Great Idea To Shield Drivers Who Hit Protesters With Cars

Erin Marquis
Today 12:14pm

....
Texas State Rep. Pat Fallon, the author of a similar bill, came to his legislature’s defense in a now-deleted tweet, The Intercept reported.



Fallon’s legislation also has support from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, a large coalition made up of police associations from across the state. Police unions have made strange bedfellows with the alt-right over this issue.

Adherents to the extremist, white nationalist philosophy have praised such proposed laws across the internet. The YouTube user Donut Operator published a video in support of such laws that included a montage of people being run over by cars. If you doubt his alt-right bona fides, check out the comments section, which is a wonderland of angry white boys, all cheering for the chance to mow down human beings.

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Protections for drivers who hit protesters? 'No plans' to move bill, NC lawmaker says (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Aug 2017 OP
I'm glad that it won't pass. LisaM Aug 2017 #1
Hmm, a rare bit of sanity from the NC legislature marylandblue Aug 2017 #2
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