Raleigh — Reighlah Collins, Policy Counsel for the ACLU of North Carolina, shared the following statement on Governor Cooper’s decision to veto House Bill 237:
“House Bill 237 is an anti-protest bill that threatens people’s health and first amendment rights. The bill is designed to target and apply heightened penalties to protestors. The bill raises serious concerns for police overreach as well as public health and safety, joining a worrying nationwide trend of silencing protesters’ first amendment rights.
“We support North Carolinians’ freedom to protect their health and safety and to protest without fear of excessive police interference. We are glad that Governor Cooper has chosen to veto this dangerous bill and we encourage all legislators to uphold that veto.”
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