Edwards, Rouzer and Hudson introduce bill to make it a federal crime for protestors to block highways

WASHINGTON – Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) this week introduced H.R. 6926, the Safe and Open Streets Act to make intentionally obstructing, delaying or affecting commerce by blocking a public road or highway a federal crime. Congressmen David Rouzer (NC-07) and Richard Hudson (NC-09) are co-leading the bill with Edwards, and Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are leading the Senate companion bill.

The Safe and Open Streets Act is a direct response to the radical acts of obstruction from pro-Palestine and pro-Hamas protestors who have intentionally blocked roads and subverted commerce in North Carolina and across the country. Recent protests in America’s major cities, including Washington, New York City and Chicago, have blocked drivers from using highways and roadways paid for by tax dollars. This legislation will penalize those who purposefully block these roads through fines or up to five years of imprisonment.

Congressman Edwards said, "In Western North Carolina, we’ve seen radical protestors block roads and stop the flow of daily commerce, presenting both a tremendous nuisance and inherent danger to drivers. Protestors do not own the roads, and their tactics are endangering the safety and livelihoods of our citizens. These protestors’ reckless actions can place lives at risk in an emergency and should be a federal crime. The Safe and Open Streets Act will help prevent incidents like the recent one in Durham, as well as those a few years ago in Asheville, from happening again in North Carolina and elsewhere.”

"It is not fair to the millions of law-abiding Americans who need to care for their families or commute to work to be held up on public roads their tax dollars maintain," said Congressman Rouzer. "The recent behavior by radical protestors who have intentionally blocked major roadways across the country should not be tolerated. It is not only inconvenient for motorists who are left stranded, it jeopardizes public safety and encourages even more lawlessness."

The text of the legislation can be found here.

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