Gov. Abbott proposes increased penalty, mandatory jail time for 6 riot-related offenses
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proposed increasing the penalties for multiple riot-related offenses to felonies and requiring mandatory jail time — including for people convicted of causing injury or property damage, using lasers to target police, or striking police.
Abbott announced six proposals to “combat riot violence and protect public safety” during a press conference Thursday at the Dallas Police Association headquarters.
His proposal calls for a mandatory six-month jail sentence for striking a law enforcement officer during a riot.
Abbott was joined at the press conference by Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, and several state and local representatives.
“The Constitution guarantees the right to assemble peacefully, but it does not provide the right to riot, rob, loot, or physically harm anyone or anything,” Abbott said. “Texas will always defend the First Amendment, but we will not tolerate violence, vandalism, and rioting in our communities.”
Both Abbott and Bonnen stressed that the proposals intend to help protect peaceful protesters, as well as police.
“Over the past several months, we have seen individuals hijack peaceful protests — causing destruction in our communities and threatening public safety,” Abbott said. “These legislative proposals are aimed at keeping peaceful protesters, law enforcement, and our communities safe from rioting while protecting Texans’ First Amendment rights.”
The six proposals also include making the use of fireworks at protests and riots illegal, and making the blocking of hospital entrances and exits a felony with mandatory jail time.
All of the proposals call for anyone charged with these offenses to remain in jail until their first court appearance. Abbott said this is to prevent rioters from rejoining a protest on the same night they were arrested.
Abbott’s proposals, which would require approval by the Texas Legislature to become law, include:
- Causing injury or destroying property in a riot: Felony offense and mandatory jail time.
- Striking a law enforcement officer during a riot: Felony offense and mandatory jail sentence of at least six months.
- Using lasers to target law enforcement officers: Felony offense and mandatory jail time.
- Blocking hospital entrances and exits by protesters or rioters: Felony offense and mandatory jail time.
- Using fireworks at protests and riots: Criminal offense and mandatory jail time.
- Aiding and abetting riots with funds or organizational assistance: Felony offense and mandatory jail time. This will also give the Office of the Attorney General power to pursue civil penalties against people and organizations.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa responded to the governor’s press conference in a written statement. “We see right through Greg Abbott’s pathetic attempt to hide his coronavirus failures,” Hinojoa said. “Governor Abbott and every Texas Republican are out of touch with the needs of everyday Texans and the real issues at stake. Whether we are white, Black or brown, Texans want a state and a country that lives up to its promise where everybody can breathe and be safe.
“Instead of talking about the issues that matter most to Texans — ending the coronavirus crisis, protecting and expanding healthcare coverage, and building our economy back better — Abbott chose to introduce nonsensical proposals that will not hold up in court,” Hinojosa said. “This was done in a pathetic ploy to help Trump and Texas Republicans’ election chances. It won’t work.”
