For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Angela Allmond, Communications Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party
angela@okdemocrats.org

Oklahoma Democratic Party Denounces Republican’s Attempt to Intimidate Lawful Protesters

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, APRIL 15, 2021 – House Bill 1674 is nothing more than an anti-freedom of speech endeavor introduced by Republicans to silence Oklahomans’ constitutional rights to free speech and the right to assemble. Veiled as a measure to “protect” motorists who “unintentionally” injure or kill protesters, HB1674 is just another Republican scare tactic to limit the peoples’ right to be heard, especially communities of color.

“This bill doesn’t protect. This bill is an overt threat. It was designed to embolden those who disagree with others’ right to be heard out of fear, shut down peaceful assembly, and will only encourage the further use of vehicles to inflict harm,” declared Alicia Andrews, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

“House Bill 1674 goes so far as even to penalize organizations that “conspire” with protesters and absolve drivers for harming those peacefully protesting.

“Republicans will stop at nothing to intimidate and scare marginalized communities, and we cannot stand by as these rights are torn away. If HB1674 is signed into law, it will open the door for more measures like it in the future,” continued Andrews.

“While the country as a whole has come far since the 1960s, Oklahoma Republicans are determined to set Oklahomans—and our economy—back half a century. Instead of enacting punitive unconstitutional bills, lawmakers and law enforcement could do more by working together and engaging with community leaders to understand better the oppressive systemic biases over which protesters are so deeply concerned,” concluded Andrews.

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For more information about the Oklahoma Democratic Party, visit the party website at okdemocrats.org, or call party headquarters at 405-427-3366.