State defends South Dakota pipeline protest legislation

[Elderberry]

WacoTrib By BLAKE NICHOLSON 4/19/2019

South Dakota's governor and attorney general are asking a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit challenging a new law that aims to prevent disruptive demonstrations against the Keystone XL pipeline if it's built.

The law allows officials to pursue criminal or civil penalties from demonstrators who engage in "riot boosting," which is defined in part as encouraging violence during a riot. The American Civil Liberties Union and American Indian tribes say the law will stifle free speech, but the state disputes that argument.

"Defendants deny that any objectively reasonable fear of prosecution for protected speech would arise under (the law)," Deputy Attorney General Richard Williams said in a Tuesday filing.

He also said the state is immune from such lawsuits.

More: https://www.wacotrib.com/news/ap_nation/state-defends-south-dakota-pipeline-protest-legislation/article_6e196aeb-6b63-5102-87dd-708f20c248f4.html

[IsailedawayfromFR]

States are sovereign on matters like this.

It is correct in what it is doing.


I hope other states join in support by filing briefs backing South Dakota.

[Smokin Joe]

States are sovereign on matters like this.

It is correct in what it is doing.


I hope other states join in support by filing briefs backing South Dakota.

They saw what the "water protector" farce cost North Dakota (not to mention the subsequent cleanup) and landowners in the area, and want to nip this crap in the bud.

Good for South Dakota!