Rioters could be stripped of unemployment aid and forced to pay for police costs under new ‘peaceful protest’ bill
Rioters could be stripped of their unemployment benefits and be fined heavily under a new bill proposed by a Republican Congressman.
Jim Banks, a representative of Indiana’s 3rd congressional district, introduced the ‘Support Peaceful Protest Act’ last week, in hopes of putting an end to the riots, theft, and vandalism that have been crippling the United States for months.
The bill would first have to be approved by the House and the Senate before becoming law.
Banks hopes it will shield peaceful protesters, as well as policemen, and other citizens who may get caught up in a crowd.
Protesters march in the streets on August 26, 2020, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. As the city declared a state of emergency curfew, another night of chaos occurred after the shooting of Jacob Blake, 29, on August 23. Image credit: Getty Images
The bill states that if a person is convicted of a federal offense while at a protest where police are present, they will have to ‘pay an order of restitution… that is equal to the cost of such policing activity, as determined by the court.’
Also, Banks proposes that people who take part in looting, rioting, and arson should be stripped of their COVID-19 benefits, such as the $600 per week unemployment checks from the CARES Act.
Hey @SpeakerPelosi, these are my constituents. They are good people.
If you told these mobs to stop, I have a feeling they would … https://t.co/l5qIT52XM4
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) August 28, 2020
In a WIBC interview, Banks says he is of the mind that most rioters who intentionally cause havoc during protests are currently jobless and receiving benefits.
‘Due to enhanced federal benefits, taxpayers are giving wages to jobless rioters that are destroying our communities. We need to cut them off from their funding and make them feel the full financial consequences of their actions,’ he stated.
Banks added:
”Many of these people are not working. They have the time to show up every day at some of these violent protests like in Washington, D.C. and they’re getting $600 a week of unemployment to do it, and that’s got to stop.’
The Congressman was referring to incidents that occurred in Washington last Thursday, following the conclusion of the Republican National Convention at the White House.
Speakers, including Senator Rand Paul, were shouted at and abused while they were entering the event.
The Senator and his wife had to be shielded from harm by police, and he later said the ‘crazed mob’ was ‘shouting threats to kill us’.
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