APNewsBreak: Arizona House speaker won't hear rioting bill

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — The speaker of the Arizona House said Monday he won't hear a bill that makes participating in or helping organize a protest that turns into a riot an offense that could lead to criminal racketeering charges.

The measure passed last week by the Senate drew nationwide attention because it added rioting to the organized crime statutes and said an overt act isn't needed to prove conspiracy to riot. That attention led Speaker J.D. Mesnard to decide Monday to kill it for the session.

Mesnard told The Associated Press that people all across the country now believe that the Arizona Legislature is trying to enact a law that will suppress their First Amendment right to assemble.

"It's gotten lot of attention, and frankly whether it's fair or unfair, whether its accurate or inaccurate, at this point doesn't matter," he told the AP. "That's certainly not what the Legislature wants to be about — I know that's not what the sponsor wanted in the first place."

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Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5f4aa8c2fae94a9ea4e3ca1008e76f20/apnewsbreak-arizona-house-speaker-wont-hear-rioting-bill

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By BOB CHRISTIE
Feb. 27, 2017 5:46 PM EST

[Angry Dragon]

1. good

[gopiscrap]

2. Good motherfuckers

hope they have to choke on their own shit

[Roy Rolling]

3. Good move

But saying "I know that's not what the sponsor wanted in the first place" is naïve. They crave attention.

[LisaM]

7. I think it IS what the sponsor wanted in the first place.

But, if he wants to leave him an out, who cares, as long as the bill is killed.

[Raster]

4. The Rethuglicans in Arizona have used every shady trick in the book to attain power...

...and to hold on to power. Arizona is changing... because of the younger citizens, because of the minorities, Arizona has the potential to slowly turn if not Blue, then a lovely shade of purple, which scares the shit out of the Rethuglicans.

[cstanleytech]

5. By his comment I suspect had it "not" gained as much attention that he would have probably been

happy to help it pass.

[Ligyron]

6. Smart.

It will save them a bunch of money defending a lost cause.

[paleotn]

8. Rare wisdom from a Repub.

not to waste time and money on a bill that's DOA in federal court.

[iluvtennis]

9. Common sense rules. excellent