Protest crackdown
Across the world, governments are responding to rising social movements with laws that restrict protesters’ freedoms. In 2021 alone, 92 bills were introduced in 35 states, according to ICNL’s Protest Crackdown tracker, and the trend continues this year.
The new attacks include lowering thresholds for what constitutes disruption and raising penalties, which experts say threaten to erode First Amendment rights to free speech, assembly and petition. They also target the organizers of protests, by allowing law enforcement to use anti-terrorism and other laws to shut down groups that organize rallies and events.
In the United States, lawmakers have passed several new laws to curb protests by requiring permits, expanding civil penalties and limiting who can organize demonstrations. Several state legislatures are considering bills to make it easier for fossil fuel industries, wealthy individuals and politicians to file malicious civil lawsuits to silence protesters. These so-called Slapps — strategic litigation against public participation — can tie up activists in expensive, drawn-out litigation for years.
In Sri Lanka, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has demonized protesters by publicly labeling them “terrorists” and “fascists.” He should stop the repression, including implementing a moratorium on using the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act to arrest, harass and intimidate minorities, activists, journalists and other critics.
About the Author
