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Senate passes bill to punish protesters who block streets

Protestors cross the Market Street Bridge. The Chattanooga Solidarity March for Standing Rock started at Renaissance Park and continued to 4th street before returning to Park on November 13, 2016 . The march was to support the opposition to the building a oil pipeline through the Stand Rock Indian Reservation in South and North Dakota. Protestors cross the Market Street Bridge. The Chattanooga Solidarity March for Standing Rock started at Renaissance Park and continued to 4th street before returning to Park on November 13, 2016 . The march was to support the opposition to the building a oil pipeline through the Stand Rock Indian Reservation in South and North Dakota.

By Associated Press March 23, 2017 1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee Senate has passed a bill that would punish protesters who block traffic and obstruct emergency vehicles from responding to an emergency.

Under the bill, protesters who block emergency responders would be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $200. The measure was sponsored by Sen. Mike Bell, a Republican from Riceville.

During debate Thursday, Sen. Lee Harris, a Democrat from Memphis, said he had a mixed opinion about the bill. Harris said he thought it was important to support emergency responders. However, he also expressed concern that the measure is trying to undermine the efforts of people who engage their governments in a time of protest.

Bell said the measure was not designed to quell protests.

The Senate passed the bill on a vote of 28-2.