Sunday, February 26, 2017

Hey You: Time to Let Rep Matthew Hill & Civil Justice Subcommittee on HB 0668 that YOU DO NOT support it!!!

A few weeks ago, I asked all who care about pedestrians to take a minute a call or write to Rep Matthew Hill to say that you DO NOT support HB 0668.  Since that time, there has been little media reporting on this bill in Nashville.  

This bill is still active.  As of 2/17/2017, it has been moved to the Civil Justice Subcommittee.  


Here is the link to the Civil Justice Subcommittee with its members:





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This bill would allow drivers who hit protesters (aka pedestrians) to have immunity.  Think about that for a minute.  Do you really want a law providing immunity to a driver of a 3000 lb vehicle to hit a PERSON just because they are blocking their path?





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If you take Michael Moore's word, one HUGE thing you can do is talk to your representatives.  




1. THE DAILY CALL: You must call Congress every day. Yes – YOU! 202-225-3121. It will take just TWO MINUTES! Make it part of your daily routine, one of those five things you do every morning without even thinking about it:
1. Wake up.
2. Brush teeth.
3. Walk dog (or stare at cat).
4. Make coffee.
5. Call Congress.
It is impossible to overstate just how much power you have by making this simple, quick DAILY CALL. I know from firsthand experience the impact it has. These politicians freak out if they get just 10 calls on an issue. Imagine them getting 10,000! Holy crap – the dome will pop off that building!



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These people let Rep Matthew Hill know the they did NOT support HB 0668:

Please call/write to as well:

Representative Matthew Hill 
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h7.html (Republican, Jonesborough, District 7) and 

---> tell him that you DO NOT support Bill HB0668 

301 6th Av N
Suite 23 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243
615) 741-2251

EMAIL:
rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov
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From February 10, 2017

 http://shadeparadenashville.blogspot.com/2017/02/tell-rep-matthew-hill-that-you-do-not.html




Tell Rep Matthew Hill that you DO NOT SUPPORT Bill HB0668 - contact info included

Here is something we DO NOT NEED in Nashville.  Protesters are pedestrians.  No need to have a law that allows for some amount of injury to them if they are blocking roadways.  Pedestrians are to be yielded to on all accounts.  

Please call/write to:

Representative Matthew Hill 
(Republican, Jonesborough, District 7) and 

- > tell him that you DO NOT support Bill HB0668 

301 6th Av N
Suite 23 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243
615) 741-2251

EMAIL:
rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov




Drivers Given Civil Immunity For Hitting Protesters Under Proposed Bill

Matthew Torres
6:23 PM, Feb 9, 2017
4 hours ago





A newly proposed bill states drivers would get immunity from civil liability if they hit and injured a protester blocking roads.


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A newly proposed bill states drivers would get immunity from civil liability if they hit and injured a protester blocking roads. 
House Bill 0668 was sponsored by Representative Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, and Senator Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro. The bill would apply if the person driving the vehicle was exercising due care and struck the protester blocking traffic in the public right-of-way. 
The bill does not protect the driver if he or she willingly struck the protester, which is already against the law. 
HB0668, which was only filed on Thursday, has concerned some lawmakers and group leaders who fear it would be an excuse for drivers to "mow down" protesters. 
"People have been protesting their government as the highest form of patriotism for over 200 years. It's disturbing that people in this Legislator think that we should give people the right to hurt them without facing any consequences," Senator Jeff Yarbro said. 
"I think it makes me sad, it's like we're going backwards and we have real problems in this state. This is not a good use of my tax money to pay for these people to talk about running over protesters," Sidney Bennett of Progressive Democrats of America told NewsChannel 5. 
Over the last year, dozens and even hundreds of protesters took their message to the streets of Nashville, whether it's rallying against President Donald Trump or gathering for the Black Lives Matter movement. 
In Tennessee, it is an offense to obstruct highways and streets to the public. Although many of the rallies in Nashville have continued to block major roads and intersections with law enforcement supervision.
Nashville attorney David Raybin told NewsChannel 5 that there are better ways to approach the issue with the help of law enforcement. 
The bill does not elaborate further on the interpretation of due care but Raybin said it should be left up to the courts.
"The issue of due care is a jury question, you can't determine that at the front end normally. I don't think we want these things decided in the streets, that's what police officers are for," Raybind added.
In response, Representative Hill released a statement:
“We are not endorsing anyone running over a person with a car, whether it is protesters or anyone else. If someone intentionally harms a person, they are going to be charged with a crime, period. There is a clear difference, however, between peacefully protesting and lawless rioters in the middle of a public roadway who jeopardize the safety of our families. This is a public safety bill that is meant to protect everyone’s right to peacefully protest and I look forward to seeing this commonsense legislation passed into law.”
Senator Ketron also released a statement:
“We believe that citizens have the right to protest. There is a procedure for peaceful protests and the purpose of that process is to protect the safety of our citizens. Protesters have no right to be in the middle of the road or our highways for their own safety and the safety of the traveling public.”
The bill said the act shall take effect July 1, 2017, the public welfare requiring it.


LINK:
http://www.newschannel5.com/news/drivers-given-civil-immunity-for-hitting-protesters-under-proposed-bill




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