Stop Corporate Retail Laws That Criminalize Poverty & Dissent!

I urge you to oppose SB 318 (Schroer), HB 277 (Roberts), SB 52 (Schroer), and HB 495 (Christ). These bills are not a solution to crime—they are a draconian overreach crafted at the behest of Walmart and corporate giants to criminalize poverty, suppress dissent, and expand their power over our communities. These bills, masquerading as a tool to combat “organized retail theft,” are a direct threat to civil liberties, vulnerable populations, and justice itself. Let us be clear: This legislation was designed to serve the Corporate bottom line, not the public good. By redefining trespassing and theft in excessively broad terms, these bills empower corporations to weaponize the law against workers, activists, and everyday citizens. The creation of “trespass in the third degree” criminalizes individuals or groups entering a retail space with the nebulous “primary purpose of disrupting commerce.” Such vague language could target labor organizers, racial justice advocates, or even shoppers engaging in peaceful protest. The $5,000 fine for “organized campaigns” is a blatant attempt to stifle collective action—a chilling assault on First Amendment rights. Equally alarming are the felony thresholds for theft. Reducing the felony threshold to $750—a sum easily surpassed by basic necessities in an era of inflation—ensnares low-income families in a cycle of incarceration. Meanwhile, the expansive definition of “organized retail theft” could criminalize individuals reselling secondhand goods online or sharing resources with neighbors. By allowing prosecution in any jurisdiction, regardless of a defendant’s presence, these bills erode due process, inviting abuse and over-policing. These bills are not about safety—they are about control. Walmart, a corporation with a history of union-busting and wage theft, lobbied for these provisions to shield profits, not people. Rather than addressing root causes of theft, like stagnant wages or lack of social services, these bills scapegoat the marginalized. They will deepen inequities, overcrowd prisons, and divert resources from tackling violent crime. We cannot allow corporate interests to rewrite our laws. These bills are a dangerous precedent that prioritizes Walmart’s shareholders over human dignity. I urge lawmakers to reject these cruel, unjust bills and focus on policies that uplift—not punish—our communities.