![The first set of doors to the High Street entrance to the Statehouse in Columbus was breached after a protest in May 2020 and 27 windows at the Statehouse were broken or damaged with red paint after a protest in June 2020. [Karen Kasler / Statehouse News Bureau]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/de450b0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1536+0+0/resize/840x630!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fimages%2Fnews%2Fnpr%2F2021%2F04%2F991076053_788981166.jpg)
Ohio Republican lawmakers are pushing for two bills that would increase penalties for offenses that take place during demonstrations and protests. Opponents of the bills say the legislation is an attempt to limit free speech.
House Bill 22 would expand obstruction of justice charges to include failing to follow a "lawful order" from police and attempting to distract law enforcement.
This can include inhibiting or restricting a law enforcement officer's control of a "subject or detainee," depriving an officer of control of a subject or detainee, or blocking an officer from that person.
In sponsor testimony before the House Criminal Justice Committee, state Rep. Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) said the bill was a direct reaction to recent protests across the country and in Ohio.
"The events that have transpired over the course of these past several months have demonstrated a necessity to amend our state’s obstruction of justice law that will further protect law enforcement officers and members of the general public,” Wilkin said. “Peaceful protests have turned violent when bad actors who are not involved in a police matter begin to taunt, harass, and overall interfere with law enforcement officers performing their duties."
Since the bill was introduced, lawmakers have approved some changes to it, including the removal of language that would have made it possible to charge someone with obstruction of justice for taunting an officer.
Language was also added to ensure bystanders can use their phones to record law enforcement.
Another bill, House Bill 109, would create "riot assault" and "riot vandalism" offenses, with felony charges attached.
If someone causes physical harm to another person when engaged in "aggravated riot" or "riot" actions, that person could face "riot assault" charges. On its own, "riot assault" would be a fifth-degree felony. If the person injured in the assault is a police officer, the charge could be a fourth-degree felony, which could be upped to a third-degree felony if the officer was seriously injured.
Joe Mallory with the Cincinnati NAACP said Ohio already has enough laws on the books that handle such crimes.
"Citizens should always have the right to respectfully question and challenge actions that are excessive and abusive. Lawmakers must cease and desist attempts to strip away rights that are protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution," Mallory said.
More than 60 people offered opposition testimony on HB 22.
"HB 22 seeks to criminalize civil disobediences and limit first amendment free speech. It seeks to increase protections for law enforcement at the expense of the civil liberties of the very people law enforcement is meant to protect and serve. This bill is un-American and an injustice in every sense of the word," said Willa Sammons-Evans, A. Philip Randolph Institute Cleveland Chapter president.
Both bills remain under consideration by the House Criminal Justice Committee.
Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.
