Say No to HB 805

The right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy and at the core of the First Amendment. HB 805 will end up having a detrimental effect. You can read the complete bill here.

What’s wrong with HB 805:

• Under North Carolina law, “riot” is already defined too broadly, and 805 would increase penalties for riot-related bodily injury or property damage.
• There are no written specifications for how to determine if a protestor had actually done any of those things, which would result in even more arrests than we see now.
• It would require a judge, rather than a magistrate, to set bail for a person charged with rioting or looting almost guaranteeing that protestors will spend a night or longer in jail.
• People convicted of felonies are stripped of their right to vote. HB 805 would disenfranchise some of our most vocal citizens.

In short, HB 805 in practice will be, a mass incarceration bill.

Email your Buncombe County Senator and demand she vote “No” on HB 805:
District 49, State Senator Julie Mayfield, Julie.Mayfield@ncleg.gov

If you’re outside Buncombe County, find your senator here.

Take Action Now and send an immediate message to your NC Senator demanding they vote “NO” on HB 805 and protect our right to protest.