1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

We urge you to reconsider your support for SB 247, the anti-protest bill. This legislation poses a serious threat to the First Amendment rights of Alabamians by imposing severe restrictions on where protests can take place and allowing municipalities to limit the time and noise level of protests in residential areas. The vague definitions of "residence" and lack of definition for "place of employment" could lead to overly broad interpretations that severely curtail the ability to protest near a wide range of locations. The right to protest is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, allowing citizens to voice their grievances and hold public officials accountable. By shielding public officials from hearing the concerns of constituents expressed through protest, SB 247 undermines the principles of free speech and the right to assemble. Peaceful protests have played a vital role in advancing civil rights, social justice, and political change throughout our nation's history. Placing arbitrary limits on where and how these expressions of dissent can occur is antithetical to the values we hold dear. We implore you to stand on the side of protecting the constitutional rights of all Alabamians and reject SB 247. Ensuring the robust protection of free speech and the right to peaceful assembly should be a priority for our elected representatives, not the imposition of measures that stifle these fundamental freedoms.