Rep. Canario bill sets $1,000 fine for blocking a freeway

STATE HOUSE – “I believe absolutely in the right to assemble, the right to protest,” said Rep. Dennis M. Canario, “but I believe protestors cross the line when their actions threaten the safety of others.”
Responding to last year’s incident that saw protestors shut down I-95 in Providence, and a more recent, similar event outside Boston, Representative Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) has introduced legislation making obstruction of a freeway a misdemeanor.
The Canario bill, 2015-H 5193, would make it a punishable crime for anyone to “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, alone or with others, restrict traffic flow of a freeway.” Punishment for such a misdemeanor would be a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
“I do not want this legislation to be misconstrued as preventing lawful picketing or lawful demonstrations,” said Representative Canario. “But gathering on a highway, shutting down the flow of traffic, possibly preventing rescue vehicles from reaching their destination – whether that’s a hospital or the home of a person in distress – is an entirely different matter. That kind of protest is potentially threatening the welfare of others and should not be allowed.”
The bill had its first hearing this week before the House Committee on Judiciary and was held for further study. Co-sponsors include by Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence), Rep. Joseph S. Almeida (D-Dist. 12, Providence) and Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick).