Culture & Society

The ‘insurrection’ you probably didn’t hear about

April 23, 2021 | | Print Article

Black Lives Matter protesters stormed the Oklahoma state capitol in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, besieging the House of Representatives and forcing them into lockdown in an insurrectionist move that barely made headlines.

The activists with the Collegiate Freedom and Justice Coalition were protesting several GOP-backed bills that include protecting drivers who hit demonstrators when they feel threatened and are fleeing riots, doxxing police officers, and videoing officers in the line of duty.

Over two dozen protesters barged into the gallery on the fifth floor while the House was in session. Demonstrators were chanting: “Stand united against all hate,” “No justice, no peace,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “We will use our voices to stand against corruption, to fight hate, to defend Black and Brown lives.” The protest halted the session for several minutes.

BLM protesters called the legislation anti-protest and anti-transgender. Republicans control both the House and Senate in Oklahoma and are advancing bills that Black Lives Matter objects to.

(Video Credit: KFOR Oklahoma’s News 4)

Journalist Andy Ngo tagged the protest as insurrectionist in nature: “BLM rioters stormed the Oklahoma Capitol, forcing a lockdown, in order to intimidate law makers into pulling support for several Republican-backed bills, including one that provides legal protections to drivers fleeing riots. #Insurrection.”

One male protester got in the face of a lawmaker in the gallery and there appeared to be a heated argument. A female protester then rushed in to pull the man away before things turned really ugly. “You’re a disgrace, you’re an embarrassment to the whole f—ing nation,” the male protester yelled as he was led away.

“You are traitors, insurrectionists, seditionists,” another woman screamed as the activists started to leave the gallery.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol escorted the BLM members out of the building. Then a police dog was brought into the chamber to make sure “nothing was left behind” according to KOCO reporter Dillon Richards. The dog could have been looking for explosives, weapons, or drugs.

House Bill 1674 is co-authored by Republican state Rep. Kevin West and state Sen. Rob Standridge. It seeks to make it unlawful to obstruct traffic while participating in a riot. The bill also attaches criminal and civil liability protections “for motor vehicle operators who unintentionally cause injury or death to an individual participating in a riot under certain circumstances.”

According to the legislation, the measure “provides that organizations found to be involved with individuals participating in riots or unlawful assemblies shall be punished by a fine that is ten times the amount of the fine authorized by the appropriate provision of the bill.”

“This is an important protection for citizens who are just trying to get out of a bad situation,” West noted. “When fleeing an unlawful riot, they should not face the threat of prosecution for trying to protect themselves, their families, or their property.”

Gov. Kevin Stitt officially approved the bill Wednesday. He also signed into law an anti-doxxing bill that makes it a crime to publish law enforcement or other public officials’ personal information online.

House Bill 1643, which is co-sponsored by Republican state Sen. David Bullard and Republican state Rep. Justin Humphrey, targets anyone with the “intent to threaten, intimidate or harass,” by using an “electronic communication device to knowingly publish, post or otherwise make publicly available personally identifiable information of a peace officer or public official” and result “in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury.” The bill mandates that these offenses are punishable by up to six months behind bars or a $1,000 fine.

A second conviction for the same offense would double the punishment according to the bill.

KFOR is reporting that ACLU Oklahoma is attacking the bill for being too broad. They claim that it would force anyone posting videos or pics of law enforcement to blur out names on badges.

Protesters were also furious over another bill that would ban anyone of the “male sex” from joining athletic teams that are designated for “females, women or girls.” The House approved the “Save Women’s Sports Act” on Tuesday. Co-authors state Rep. Toni Hasenbeck and state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom both contend that the bill will protect female athletes from being forced out of competition, scholarships, and recognition. They reference the competitive advantage biological men have over biological women.

Twitter sounded off over the siege:

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Terresa Monroe-Hamilton
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