House Bill Would Make Blocking Traffic Criminal

Intro:	A Missouri Representative proposed felony punishments for protesting on a highway.
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Wrap: Republican Representative Nick Marshall said protests should not interfere with drivers.

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Description: That problem is the blocking of vehicular traffic, which is trapping citizens in their cars and unlawfully detaining them.

Democrats said the measure is too broad and would impact more people than protesters.

The measure would make interference with interstate highways and unpermitted group protests on roads felony crimes.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A St. Louis City Representative said he would be a felon under proposed punishments for traffic-blocking protests.
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Wrap: The bill would make blocking any road a criminal offense, with worse penalties for group and interstate highway protests.

Democratic Representative Bruce Franks, who protested in the aftermath of the Ferguson shooting, fears the proposal would be used against all but the most peaceful gatherings.

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Description: It just feels to me that we do have the right to protest but only if we're holding hands and singing kumbaya.

The bill sponsor said protests should not be allowed to block traffic.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A Republican representative said protesting on Missouri interstate highways should not be a criminal offense.
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Wrap: St. Louis County Representative Shamed Dogan said traffic interference with two or more people should not be a felony.

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Description: I'm not violating someone's rights. I'm trying to exercise my right to speak and to protest.

The bill sponsor said protests should not interfere with traffic.

The measure would make traffic interference on any road a criminal offense. Blocking interstate highways and any road with a group would be a felony offense.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A Missouri House measure proposed legal immunity for cops when dealing with intoxicated citizens.
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Wrap: The immunity would apply when a citizen is intoxicated by drugs or other substances, but not if the officer uses deadly force. Police officers already have immunity with drunk citizens.

Major Erik Holland of the Platte County Sheriff's Office said immunity would let police officers act more appropriately to their situation.

Opponents said the measure is too broad because it does not define what substances give the officers immunity.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.