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Since the violent clashes between Dakota Access Pipeline protesters and law enforcement officers, states have passed dozens of laws restricting public protests and increasing penalties for convictions. Most recently, the Wyoming legislature passed a bill that would fine organizations as much as $1 million if they are found supporting protests that impede ‘critical infrastructure.’ The governor vetoed the measure. The First Amendment does not give permission to break laws, but protests and civil disobedience have a vaunted role throughout U.S. history for steering public discourse. Have modern protests crossed the line? Or is it the official reaction from lawmakers that’s going too far?
Guests:
Lynette Grey Bull (Lakota and Northern Arapaho) – founder and director for Not Our Native Daughters
Teresa Nelson – legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota
Monique Verdin (United Houma Nation) – councilmember representing district 7 for the United Houma Nation
Break Music: Learned from the Late Ralph Kotay (song) Kenneth Cozad & Group (artist) Songs of Our Old People – Old-Time Round Dance Songs of Oklahoma (album)
This posses me off! It smells of communism to me! Just shut up and take whatever those in power wish to sling at you. We need a new government. A government for the people not an us and them government!