Some California Democrats are fed up with recent anti-Israel protests in the state, and a Republican-led bill would double fines for protesters who block major roads and stop emergency vehicles. is supported.
Politico reported A bill authored by Republican lawmakers passed a key committee vote on Monday at the Capitol with key support from four Democratic lawmakers who defied their committee chairs to advance the bill. .”
The article said the vote “suggests a schism among Democrats, who hold a majority in the state Legislature and have been riven by protests over the war that have disrupted major cities and universities.”
Live updates: Anti-Israel protests on college campuses
A bipartisan group of California lawmakers has pushed a bill that would double penalties for protesters who block the passage of emergency vehicles. (Ronald Davis/Commuter)
According to reports, the Assembly Transportation Committee passed Assembly Bill 2742 by an 8-5 vote, with Democrats Juan Carrillo, Diane Papin, Chris Ward and Greg Hart siding with Republicans. He said he did. san joaquin valley sun.
The bill, which still needs to pass the full House and Senate and be signed by California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, is authored by Republican Rep. Kate Sanchez and would allow protesters to block highways and impede initial response. Fines for participants will be doubled. Obstructing the passage of emergency vehicles.
“If it’s $100, it’s doubled to $200, up to $1,000. There’s nothing terrible about it,” Sanchez told Fox News Digital about the bill last week. “It just gives people more tools to hold protesters accountable. And I think that’s a very reasonable request.”
Anti-Israel protester sobs during arraignment after telling California mayor and city council to ‘kill you’
California Congresswoman Kate Sanchez criticized protesters who blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge for hours on April 15. (Megan Myers)
“When we’re talking about potentially preventing people from going to situations where they need emergency medical care, that’s not as much as a speeding ticket these days. So we want to remind them that we’re more serious. I feel like asking for a fine or a doubling of the fine for what you’re doing, do it elsewhere, I don’t think that’s too much to ask at all,” she said.
The push for double penalties for law-breaking demonstrators comes amid a wave of anti-Israel demonstrations that have caused major traffic disruptions in the state. On April 15, agitators blocked traffic on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, leaving commuters stranded on the bridge for up to seven hours.
“When you have an adult who throws a tantrum like this, I want them to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Enough is enough,” Sanchez said.
According to Politico, Democratic Sen. Lori Wilson, who opposed the bill and chairs the transportation committee, said, “I still believe this bill is unnecessary and ultimately won’t solve the problem. “I’m working on it,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
