The governor proposes to criminalize public gatherings or protests which the authorities might consider obstructive, or causing any sort of public hazard. Aside from the abridgment ofthe citizens’ rights to peaceably assemble, set forth in the First Amendment to our Constitution, this law would enable authorities to deem a protest or assembly hazardous for such feeble reasons as “distracting passing motor vehicle drivers,” littering, or blocking a sidewalk. Since a violation of the proposed law could
be deemed a Class C felony, the law could be used as a hammer over the heads of any group requesting a permit, or involved in an impromptu gathering for a cause not favored by the governor, mayor or other authority in power.
Since I am unaware of any recent problems caused by public protests or gatherings taking place in Alaska, I am forced to wonder what caused the governor’s sudden concern and proposed crackdown.
— Don Neal
Anchorage
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