OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is prepared to sign legislation that would make the punishment for protesters that “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly blocking an emergency vehicle operating its emergency lights or siren or a hospital entrance,” more severe, according to The Daily Wire.
The Punishment for committing such crimes has been increased from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony.
Abbott wrote, “Legislation cracking down on protestors for blocking roads PASSES in the Senate. Peaceful protest doesn’t include blocking roadways & preventing emergency vehicle access. That chaos won’t be tolerated in Texas. Thanks to @StephanieKlick & @DonnaCampbellTX. I will sign soon.”
Legislation cracking down on protestors for blocking roads PASSES in the Senate.
Peaceful protest doesn’t include blocking roadways & preventing emergency vehicle access. That chaos won’t be tolerated in Texas.
Thanks to @StephanieKlick & @DonnaCampbellTX.
I will sign soon.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 22, 2021
Update: One male deputy and one female deputy were ambushed as they sat in their patrol vehicle. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and are in critical condition. They are both currently undergoing surgery. The suspect is still at large.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 13, 2020
.@LACoSheriff Villanueva to Discuss Ambush Shooting of 2 LA Sheriff's in Compton, 10PM at St. Francis Med Ctr in Lynwood.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 13, 2020
Rep. Stephanie Klick stated, “In an emergency, seconds matter. We all have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble under the First Amendment, but what we don’t have is a right to prevent authorized emergency vehicles that can provide life saving care.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriffs said, “To the protesters blocking the entrance and exit of the HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM yelling, ‘We hope they die,’ referring to 2 LA sheriffs’ (deputies) ambushed today in #Compton, DO NOT BLOCK EMERGENCY ENTRIES & EXITS TO THE HOSPITAL. People’s lives are at stake when ambulances can’t get through.”
A 62-year-old man died in California due to protesters clogging streets not allowing an emergency response vehicle to collect the individual.
“Nobody could get to him.”
“Fire couldn’t get in without protection, and everyone was tied up.”
“[Paramedics] were able to revive him to get him to the hospital, but it took 35 minutes to get [to Kittredge] because protesters were in the area and no one could go in safely.”
From The Daily Wire:
H.B. 9 would make intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly blocking an emergency vehicle operating its emergency lights or siren or a hospital entrance a state jail felony. Additionally, this bill will require as a condition of community supervision that a person serve no fewer than 10 days in jail. With steeper penalties, H.B. 9 seeks to protect access to emergency services used by officers and the public.
H.B. 9 amends current law relating to the criminal punishment and conditions of community supervision for the offense of obstructing a highway or other passageway and increases a criminal penalty.
Several people aware of the case said the man who was assisted by paramedics later died at the hospital. Though there is no way to know with certainty whether the man might have survived had paramedics reached him sooner — given the amount of information currently available — people familiar with the case said the demonstration posed a definite obstacle during the call.
The Texas Senate voted 25-5 to pass H.B. 9; the Texas House had already passed the bill, 90-55.
