A Kansas state law barring anyone from being within 25 feet of first responders engaged in their duties is coming under fire from some free-speech advocates, who say the bill violates the First Amendment and would be harmful as federal immigration raids continue throughout the state and country.
The Halo Act, which became law effective July 1 after the Republican-led Kansas legislature overrode the Democratic governor’s veto of the bill, makes it a misdemeanor for civilians to approach local and federal law enforcement, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, “while such first responder is engaged in the performance of such first responder’s duties.”
It is highly unlikely that this survives review in the 10th circuit, and it is even less likely it survives SCOTUS review should a split circuit occur. The Roberts court has proven itself unusually hostile to laws such as these.
“Give me 25ft, says the unjust man. You take a step back, he takes a step forward. Give me 25ft, says the unjust man.”
ICE are not first responders.
They won’t care.
You never hear people shout “Fuck firefighters!” or “Fuck paramedics!” whenever they do their job, but whenever a murderer… I mean police officer does theres, it’s not uncommon to hear “Fuck the police!”. Wonder why?
/s
ACAB but every paramedic has dealt with a couple fuck yous after narcan’ing someone. I’m not saying this to say cops aren’t fucking aweful but rather so as not to minimize how badly medical personnel get treated.
How DARE people Approach Taxpayer Funded SERVANTS who keep MURDERING Americans and KIDNAPPING Children!
-Republicans!
All personnel are now entitled to a bubble.
So how do you stop a kidnapper and murderer from 25 or more feet away?
Let’s stick to stuff a school child would understand.
It depends on the context and the situation. But, the law doesn’t prohibit cops from getting that close to you. It just prevents you from being close enough to record them as they commit their crimes.
That’s just it, though: cops are much more likely to kidnap or murder people than the general population.
So in order to stop kidnapping or murder, the person you’d need to stop is statistically likely to be a cop.
School children know all too well what can be used from more than 25 feet away.
