ACTION ALERT: Tell Your Federal Representatives to Keep the Roads Safe and Open!
Change is up to you and me. There is no cavalry.
Yesterday we watched as demonstrators across the country blocked public roads, burned American flags, and chanted Death to America. It was especially painful to see these displays in New York City, the site of our nation’s most horrific terror attack.
Reminiscent of demonstrations in recent times, there were reports that people (yet again) were allowed to occupy roads and highways in several jurisdictions for hours. Meanwhile, in cities across the state of Florida, police officers were allowed to do actual police work, like removing demonstrators who were blocking traffic and arresting them.
Those of us who don’t live in Florida want (and deserve) the same guarantees that our government will keep us safe.
Every American has the God-given right to peaceful expression, regardless of how inane the thought may seem. Discourse is how we mature as individuals and a nation, and it’s essential to solving problems. The First Amendment doesn’t, however, protect lawlessness. Each of us is expected to play by the same rules. The U.S. Constitution transcends political affiliation, issues of the day, and big donor money.
We can (and should) certainly debate what led us to this point in time. We can question why Americans can be so easily manipulated that they’re willing to betray their own nation.
For now, however, the priority is the restoration of law and order. It’s tough, after all, to have important conversations if every American doesn’t feel safe.
It’s why I ask that you contact your U.S. congressperson and senators, urging them to support the Safe and Open Streets Act (H.R. 6926). It would make it a federal crime to intentionally obstruct or attempt to obstruct a public road. Penalties include fines and a maximum five-year term of imprisonment.
The text for the House bill is here. The text for the Senate Bill is here. The bill is currently in the Judiciary Committee in both congressional chambers.
Some people will say bills like this don’t have a snowball’s chance of passing in this climate. They can indeed pass, and I can confidently say this because I’ve witnessed the “impossible” happen time and again. In each instance, minds were changed because the citizenry took the time to peacefully petition their elected representatives, as is a right provided by the First Amendment.
Let me take you back for a moment to local city government circa 2018 when I was trying to lobby for much needed funding for additional police officers and squad cars. Few thought it could be done given the political landscape. Why bother?, they’d say.
The odds were most certainly stacked against us, but it never occurred to me not to keep trying. We eventually succeeded in getting that funding, and in fact, only two alders voted against it.
This didn’t happen by accident. The initiative was successful because we showed up and presented city council with facts, on a consistent basis. Most importantly, we urged the citizenry to write and call their alders to support the funding. During the meeting, several alders had even commented on the number of letters they received from constituents in being a deciding factor in their vote.
So yes, H.R. 6926, as well as the Protect and Serve Act and other pro-police and -public safety bills, has a chance of passing . . . but it will only happen if Americans take a few moments to peacefully lobby their representatives. I so wish I could convince you of this.
Even if this bill weren’t to get through this election cycle, it’s still a start, a foundation from which to build and gain support. The alternative is to remain silent. When that happens, we’re basically signaling to our elected officials that we’re fine with the way things are.
So sure, we can take a defeatist attitude, which means we’ll need to learn to adapt to the lawlessness. Or we can tell our federal representatives to do their primary job, which is to protect the American people from harm.
Will you please make the commitment to contact your federal representatives on this, and other important police and public safety bills?
Best. : )
For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.