Take a Stand Against Repressive Anti-Protest Laws
A message from Rev. Joan Van Becelaere, Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio.
"Right now, our right to free speech in Ohio is under attack with multiple bills at the Statehouse. SB 33 that penalizes and criminalizes many forms of peaceful protest at oil and gas infrastructure sites was signed into law January 2021 and is now in effect.
Following the passage of SB 33, 4 more anti-protest, anti-democracy bills have been introduced into the Ohio Legislature and are under discussion. These new bills (HB 22, HB 109, SB 16, SB 41) are vague and broad in their definitions of prohibited action. At the same time, the language in the bills is so vague, confusing and complex that those of us who participate in ANY kind of peaceful public protest ANYWHERE for ANY reason, risk being charged with felonies, incarcerated and paying heavy fines for something as simple as blocking a street or throwing confetti or distracting a police officer. Some of these bills even include huge penalties for non-profits such as UUJO or your own congregation for advertising or organizing such events. These penalties would bankrupt most non-profits.
Individually, these bills are problematic. Taken together, they are designed to impede and ‘chill’ all forms of public protest in Ohio. It’s time for us to raise #OurVoicesTogether and stop these dangerous bills from being enacted. It’s time to contact our Ohio Senators and Representatives and the Committees in the House and Senate considering these bills."
Take action!
Sign up to take action with Rev. Joan and her coalition HERE.
If you have postcards (any kind) and stamps and are ready to write, find a script and addresses HERE. You can also use the ideas here or in the script to call your Ohio representative and senator to speak out against these bills.
Submit written testimony against HB22 to the House Criminal Justice Committee, via the Chair, at rep77@ohiohouse.gov. Submit ASAP Wednesday!
Show up at the statehouse to support those giving opponent testimony: 11am, Thursday, 4/22, House Criminal Justice Committee.