A day of reckoning has come for state lawmakers who proposed protections for motorists who attack protestors from behind the wheels of their car. A tragedy at protests in Charlotte has cast new light on the dangerous potential of such laws.
"The author of a Texas bill to protect drivers who injure demonstrators found himself the target of outrage on social media this weekend after the hit-and-run death of a young woman protesting white supremacists in Charlottesville, Va," reports Lauren McGaughy.
"Rep. Pat Fallon filed legislation to protect motorists who hit demonstrators 'blocking traffic in a public right-of-way' if the driver exercises 'due care,'" explains McGaughy. After the tragedy in Charlottesville, Rep. Fallon (R-Frisco) spoke with The Dallas Morning News and said his law would not protect a "jackass" like the driver of the vehicle in Charlottesville. Rep. Fallon also posted this statement on Facebook, not exactly implying any regret for the proposal:
To the hundred or so alt left folks that contacted us with outrageous hate (so much for tolerance):
What happened in VA was atrocious and yes it was murder. Any leveled headed American would condemn it as I do. We need to take care to be consistent and condemn all racism and hate. It's ugly, counter productive and pointless. We can love those we disagree with it. Unfortunately the media seems to have preferential victims depending on their agenda. That's sad. At the end of the day We are all broken-hearted that this young lady's life was taken far too soon and in such a horrifically evil way. Our prayers are with her family and friends.
Still, the legislation was not expected to pass the house, even before the violence over the weekend in Virginia. Texas isn't the only state to consider such legal protections for motorists encountering protests in the public right of way. In January, Planetizen picked up news of a similar bill proposed in North Dakota. That law read as follows: "A driver of a motor vehicle who negligently causes injury or death to an individual obstructing vehicular traffic on a public road, street, or highway may not be held liable for any damages."
In total, lawmakers in six states have proposed similar legislation this year alone, as detailed in a separate article by Paul Blest. After North Dakota, Tennessee, Florida, Rhode Island, and North Carolina all flirted with the idea. Only North Carolina's bill, approved by the state's House of Representatives, passed beyond committee. That bill reads as follows: "A person driving an automobile who is exercising due care and injures another person who is participating in a protest or demonstration and is blocking traffic in a public right-of-way, is immune from civil liability for the injury." That bill is expected to be picked up the North Carolina Senate this year or next, according to Blest.
Writing for Streetsblog USA, Angie Schmitt takes accountability a step further, by naming the names of the legislators behind the proposed laws, and describing some of the arguments they gave to support the goals of the legislation.
Interstate 94's Legacy of Racial Injustice in the Twin Cities
The symbolism behind highway protests brings demonstrators to occupy Interstate 94 between St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Charlottesville and the 'War Against Public Space'
A think-piece published by CityLab argues that public space, and the ideals it embodies, are under threat from the racist groups that gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend.
How Public Space Enables, or Prohibits, Protest
With the provocative title “A Dictator’s Guide to Urban Design,” a recent article in The Atlantic examines the revolutionary capacity of public squares like Ukraine’s Independence Square.
The Surprising Oil Tax in the Inflation Reduction Act
President Biden has made reducing gas prices paramount in his administration, so it was likely a surprise to hear a Republican senator last Sunday warn TV viewers that a revived and increased oil fee in the climate bill will increase their gas costs.
The Tide Has Turned Against Open Streets
Once a promising development for advocates pushing for a less car-centric future in cities, the open streets movement has ceded significant ground to cars since the height of the pandemic.
San Antonio Office Tower To Become Residential
With the building more than half vacant, the new owners of the Tower Life Building plan to convert the historic tower into residences that could include affordable housing.
Department of the Interior Forced to Intervene on the Colorado River
More questions than answers on the Colorado River this week as the federal government failed to deliver on threats to force Southwest states to cut back on water use.
Explaining Rent Inflation
The delayed effects of changes in rent costs make rent inflation a difficult figure to pin down.
Dallas Names 66-Mile Bike and Walking Trail
When complete, the newly named DFW Discovery Trail will incorporate 50 miles of existing trails into a regional ‘super highway.’
San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Cohousing Association of the US
City of Crystal River
Sun City Center Community Association, Inc
City of Mesa
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
