Monday’s Public Hearing for HB4615 Anti-Protest

Action: Monday’s Public Hearing for HB4615 Anti-Protest

Date: Monday, February 10th
Where: House Chamber
Time: 8:30 AM

Join citizens and organizations this Monday Morning to voice your opinion for the right to peaceful assembly in West Virginia, before it’s too late!

HB4615 “West Virginia Critical Infrastructure Protection Act” is an ALEC bill aimed at raising criminal and civil penalties for trespassing, actual damage and tampering, and conspiracy to peacefully protest near any of these infrastructures.

The bill is built on intimidation, but peaceful protest is a hallmark of democracy — we have the right to voice our concern, oppose the actions of industry and our government, and support our ideals. It is embedded in the history of our country from the Boston Tea Party to the recent Blackjewel Miners in Kentucky.

On Monday the bill passed out of House Judiciary and heads to the floor. We have a chance on Monday morning to share our concerns, and tell Delegates that we will not be silenced by industry and will stand up for labor, civil rights, and environmental justice.  Call your Delegates to urge them to say NO to this effort to intimidate protests and protect our first amendment..

• Our current laws on trespassing and vandalism are adequate and ALREADY encompass all “critical infrastructure.”
• HB4615 is unconstitutional, violating both our first amendment right to protest, and the eighth amendment imposing excessive fines meant to intimidate and silence.

Here are more resources to similar bills in other states, and why we should oppose any shutdown of peaceful protest.

If you can’t make it to the public hearing, please call or email your Delegate and ask them to oppose HB4615 before Monday morning.