Gov. Greg Abbott calls for new crimes, mandatory jail time for certain offenses related to protests

[TexasTowelie]

by Jolie McCullough, Texas Tribune


At a campaign event in Dallas on Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a string of new legislative proposals to raise penalties and create new crimes for offenses committed at protests.

Abbott isn't on the Nov. 3 ballot, but the event was the Republican governor’s latest move in a national political battle during a tumultuous election that has pitted police officers and fears of rising crime against calls for an end to police brutality and systemic racism. Abbott’s proposals, offered at a press conference at the Dallas Police Association headquarters, in part mirror a controversial set of measures Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed earlier this week.

“Today, we are announcing more legislative proposals to do even more to protect our law enforcement officers as well as do more to keep our community safe,” said Abbott, who was flanked by police union officials, other Texas leaders and Republican politicians hoping to take Texas House seats from Dallas County Democrats in November.

The legislation, if passed by lawmakers in 2021, would create felony-level offenses for causing injury or destroying property during what is deemed to be a “riot.” Blocking hospital entrances and using lasers to target police would also be felony offenses, Abbott said. Striking an officer with something like a water bottle would lead to a mandatory minimum of six months in jail.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/09/24/greg-abbott-protests-brutality-police-budget-cuts/

[walkingman]

1. Pure Redneck bastard

[rzemanfl]

2. Texas and Florida both need new Governors. n/t

[CrispyQ]

3. And when white people destroy property celebrating their team's win?

My bad, that's not a protest, that's just good clean fun.