Omar: Highway Obstruction Bills Are Unconstitutional

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Rep. Ilhan Omar is calling two bills moving through the Minnesota House (HF 390 and HF 1066) "unconstitutional."

Together, the bills (HF 390 and HF 1066) would increase penalties for obstructing a highway or an airport.

The bills are a response to recent protests that led to the shutdown of Interstate 35W and Interstate 94 in the Twin Cities.

"These bills are an unconstitutional threat to our first amendment rights and they are the same types of initiatives that white supremacists used in attempts to stop the protests of the civil rights movement of the 1960’s," Omar said in a statement.

"They would increase criminal penalties for blocking highways, airports and public transit to a gross misdemeanor," she continued.

Alternate view

• Stillwater Rep's Personal Reason For Wanting Tougher Penalties On Highway Obstruction

"The increased penalties in these bills would subject nonviolent protesters to penalties stronger than those for first time offenders of violent crimes like assault, domestic violence and sexual assault. These anti-protest bills seek to prevent peaceful protest by arresting people, instead of addressing the issues Minnesotans are protesting to solve."

Image via Minnesota House of Representatives