State-level Republicans are making it easier to run over protesters

Vox (04/25/2021)
  • Republican lawmakers in Florida, Iowa and Oklahoma recently passed laws absolving drivers of criminal liability for running into protestors.
  • Under Oklahoma law, drivers won’t be liable for striking or killing protestors if the drivers are “fleeing from a riot”.
  • Iowa and Florida passed similar laws, with Florida also protecting drivers from civil lawsuits.
  • Critics complain that these new laws will stifle protests and/or increase violent confrontations.
  • While 98% of last year’s George Floyd protests were peaceful, there were 72 incidents of cars hitting protesters.