Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the increasingly radical tactics of activists who intentionally blocked roads and highways across the country as a form of protest, U.S. Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to impose penalties on those who participate in such activity.

Specifically, H.R. 6926, the Safe and Open Streets Act, would make it a federal crime to purposely obstruct, delay, or affect commerce by blocking a public road or highway.  Penalties include fines or up to five years of imprisonment.

"It is not fair to the millions of law-abiding Americans who need to care for their families or commute to work to be held up on public roads their tax dollars maintain,” said Congressman Rouzer.  “The recent behavior by radical protestors who have intentionally blocked major roadways across the country should not be tolerated.  It is not only inconvenient for motorists who are left stranded, it jeopardizes public safety and encourages even more lawlessness." 

Original cosponsors of the legislation include U.S. Congressmen Richard Hudson (NC-09) and Chuck Edwards (NC-11). Companion legislation is led by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in the U.S. Senate.

“In Western North Carolina, we’ve seen radical protestors block roads and stop the flow of daily commerce, presenting both a tremendous nuisance and inherent danger to drivers," said Congressman Edwards.  "Protestors do not own the roads, and their tactics are endangering the safety and livelihoods of our citizens. These protestors’ reckless actions can place lives at risk in an emergency and should be a federal crime. The Safe and Open Streets Act will help prevent incidents like the recent one in Durham, as well as those a few years ago in Asheville, from happening again in North Carolina and elsewhere."

In November, radical pro-Palestine protestors blocked the Durham Freeway in Durham, North Carolina during the peak of rush hour traffic.  One week later, protestors shut down a section of Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.  No arrests were made in either event.  Just this week, protestors blocked three bridges in New York City and the Holland Tunnel, severely disrupting the flow of traffic.

The full text of the Safe and Open Streets Act can be found here.