The new bill in Ohio Statehouse could be used to direct the pro-LGBTQ+ demonstration throughout the state, enabling private citizens to sue people for damages suffered by “vandalism or riots”, even if a person is not personally responsible for damage.
Ohio Senate Bill (SB) 53 is part A growing legislative trend . National Lawyers Guild (NLG) He called “a thinly attempted attempt to further criminalize protests.”
“SB 53 aims to preserve the most marginalized, including the LGBTQ+community, silent, increasing potential penalties for listening to your votes,” said NLG Media Contaison Hannah Scifres.
“If the SB 53 is signed, the organizers of the Pro-LGBTQ+ rally could be brought to civil liability if the current protesting caused damage, no matter how minimal, private property,” added Scifres. “The legislator at Ohio is trying to scare away community organizers in silence and participation. However, pride has its roots in protest and prevents the state’s violence. “
Attacks on protesters throughout the country
Throughout the country, Anti-Protarest’s legislation increased From at least 2015.
In 2016, members of the Rock Sioux standing tribe It crashed in the protest on the Dakota Access pipelinewhich was guided directly by the Holy Earth and was threatened with the supply of drinking water of the group.
The following year, legislators from Northern Dakota A lot of bills against – increasing the fines, increasing prison and prison and Enabling citizens and officers of law enforcement agencies to hit protesters using motor vehicles with narrow responsibility.
Since then, the legislators in 21 states adopted legislation limiting the rights of protestersincluding Ohio.
Suppressing LGBTQ+ protests in Ohio
Legislators from Ohio for the first time introduced provisions regarding the limitation of protest activities in 2018, after brutal arrest in 2017. Ohio Black Pride 4 – Four black LGBTQ+ activists who calmly disrupted the annual Pride Stonewall Columbus LGBTQ+ Pride festival.
The bill was not promoted-with another eight best legislators in the accounts proposed in the next six years-in these proposed increased penalties and penalties for demonstrators who block roads and wear a face cover.
In 2020 – while racial justice shows broke out in cities across the country – legislators in southern Dakota and Ohio adopted almost identical bills, presenting a more severe punishment and increased fines for protesting near Naft and Gas Pipelines and other “critical infrastructure”.
At least 17 other states They adopted similar regulations.
Bill could “suppress” the right to the first amendment
In the airy of the recent withdrawal of the civil rights of Trump’s administration for transgender persons Americans, Scifres said that new anti-protarest legislation can influence both protesters disproportionately, who identify themselves as LGBTQ+, as well as all protesters showing in favor of civil rights LGBTQ+-Id to exercise the right to the first amendment to freedom words.
“As the demonstration increases against police brutality, militarism, Fasmism, etc. In recent years, legislators throughout the country introduce bills for punishing those who speak,” said Scifres. “In Ohio, this was revealed recently when prosecutor general Dave Yost resurrected A Law from the 1950s prohibiting masks during protests To suppress demonstrations led by students at university campus. “
During SB 53 First interrogation Before the Senate Judiciary Commission February 19, chief republican sponsor Senator Tim Schaffer (R-LANCASTER) -WHO For the first time he proposed the version of the invoice In 2021 – he said that the law did not violate the law of the Ohioans to peaceful protest.
“I want to make crystal clear that there is nothing in this bill that discourages or violates the right of the first amendment to a peaceful gathering and protest,” said Schaffer in public testimonies. “This bill was simply designed to pull those who become violent and destructive responsible for their actions and stop these actions.”
NLG said on the contrary:
“The Senate Act 53 is another attempt of the legislator Ohio to suppress the right of the Ohioans to the protest,” said Scifes Buckeye Flame. “Ohio NLG definitely opposes SB 53 and remains involved in the protection of constitutional rights of protesters and supporting the LGBTQ+community.” Ding
Light
- To access the full Buckeye Flame 2025-2026 guide after LGBTQ+ OHIO legislation, click here.
- If you are a newborn LGBTQ+ in crisis, please contact Trevor project: 866-4-U-TREVOR.
- If you are an adult transgender in need of immediate support, please contact National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- To register to vote or check the status of the voter’s eligibility in the state of Ohio, Click here.
- To find contact details for a representative of the Ohio state, Click here.
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