sweet

He rode in a pale white mustang.

Yes. It’s an important distinction. In America people have a right to “peaceful assembly” but people also have a right to peaceful enjoyment. In other words- if 10 people are trying to use the library and 10 people are trying to protest at the library- the law cannot favor the rights of either group. People protesting must be allowed to do so- and people using the library must be allowed to do so, and neither can use that right to take the others so a balance must be struck where each can do their thing. But when people stand in the way of traffic that is not a peaceful assembly- it is disruptive to the rights of those trying to live their lives. It is already illegal to congregate in roadways in most cases- but mass citation or arrest for such acts not only could escalate civil unrest, but could both be seen as or used as a tool to silence protest.

So the “best of both worlds” scenario is one which relies on “common sense.” A person standing in the road for any reason other than crossing it creates unnecessary danger to themselves and others. So we cant sanction murder of people standing in roads, but this law makes it the responsibility of those who choose to exercise the right of protest to do so in a manner that is safe. If you do not want to get hit by a car- do not stand in the road. It also helps absolve liability for drivers who find themselves “mobbed” by angry crowds and in fear for their safety. We cant give those people who are only trying to live their lives the choice of sitting and hoping the mob doesn’t hurt them, or spending life in jail if they try to break free.

So there is the personal safety of protestors who should have learned as children not to stand in road ways, and the personal safety of people completely uninvolved or uninterested in protest exercising their rights to simply exist, who find themselves in a bad situation not of their making. Overall I think it is a good law. You have the right to protest or be heard, to assemble and enjoy. Others also have a right to use public roads etc. if you want to stand in the road, get the permits to block the road off like they do for festivals etc.

I imagine the law won't actually apply specifically to protesters.

The very good point raised here is that it’s somewhat hard in such cases to prove intent. You’d basically need some text message or something saying something like “these guys I disagree with will be protesting today. I’m going to drive down there and try and run one over “on accident” you should come...” that said- it really doesn’t have to be specific to protestors. It’s a common sense sort of law to the time of: if you are blocking a street and aren’t crossing it you could get hit by a car. If you mob and block in a car they might get scared and run you over trying to escape.” Countries that aren’t the US often already have laws that give right of way to cars on road ways, and pedestrians not crossing at controlled crossings are responsible for doing so safely.