House panel advances bill creating criminal penalties for protestors blocking roadways

After hearing testimony on the legislation last week, members of the Michigan House Judiciary have given their recommendation to a bill looking to criminalize obstructing traffic as an act of protest, returning the policy to the House floor on Wednesday. 

Introduced by Rep. Alicia St. Germaine (R-Harrison Township), House Bill 4664 would alter the state’s current penalty for blocking, obstructing, impeding, or otherwise interfering with traffic from a civil fine to a misdemeanor. Where the current penalty is a fine of up to $100, St. Germaine’s proposal carries a punishment of up to 93 days in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000. 

While the bill netted support from Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido and Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, both Republicans, the American Civil Liberties Union raised concerns about the bill’s implications for the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.

The bill passed through committee with full support from Republicans and opposition from Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt), the sole Democratic member present for the vote. 

While Hope later made a motion to reconsider the vote on the bill, the effort was unsuccessful with Hope and Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) marking the only votes in support. 

The bill awaits further action on the House floor.