1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose Senate Bill 1093, which is scheduled for consideration in the Senate Public Safety Committee this Wednesday. This legislation poses a serious threat to the constitutional right to free assembly by creating an overly broad definition of "riot" and imposing severe penalties that could criminalize legitimate protest activity. SB1093, sponsored by Senator Mark Finchem, defines a riot as involving merely "two or more people recklessly using force or violence that results in damage to property." This definition is dangerously vague and could encompass situations far removed from what most Arizonans would consider a riot. More troubling still, the bill allows law enforcement to treat such behavior as conspiracy or racketeering, dramatically escalating potential charges against protesters. The timing and context of this bill are particularly concerning. Law enforcement agencies have increasingly declared protests unlawful in recent years, sometimes preemptively or in response to the actions of a small number of individuals. Under SB1093, peaceful protesters exercising their First Amendment rights could face racketeering charges simply for being present when property damage occurs, even if they had no involvement in or knowledge of such damage. The First Amendment protects the right to peaceful assembly, and this protection is fundamental to our democracy. While property damage and violence are already illegal under existing Arizona law, SB1093 goes far beyond addressing genuine public safety concerns. Instead, it creates a chilling effect that will discourage Arizonans from exercising their constitutional rights to gather, speak out, and petition their government for redress of grievances. I urge you to vote against SB1093 in committee this Wednesday. Our state needs laws that protect both public safety and constitutional rights, not legislation that threatens to criminalize dissent and peaceful protest.