Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., plans on introducing a bill to force protestors who are arrested to pay for police overtime, in response to the recent climate change protests in Washington, D.C., The Hill reports.
Protestors caused several important intersections to shut down on Monday after they took to the streets to protest fossil fuel production. According to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department, at least 26 people were arrested at one intersection.
“In response to today’s #ShutDownDC, I will be working on introducing a bill that would force protesters arrested at demonstrations in D.C. to pay for police overtime and other fees related to the action,” Banks tweeted Monday afternoon.
“Under my bill, a person will be responsible for public safety response costs incurred by the District of Columbia’s response to a demonstration if, in connection with the demonstration, the person is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense,” the congressman said.
He added, “Washington, D.C. collects over $4 billion in federal funding. Hoosier taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for illegal protests – it is a violation of their 1st Amendment rights.”
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