On the night of May 6, one man decided to hold a protest against the recent H.R. 336, a bill submitted by Representative Lucas Evans that would authorize a database of criminal organizations and a new criminal charge for gang related violence. Julio Hernandez, who performs under the name DJ Spooky, was the first person to set up the protest. However, dozens of citizens soon gathered at City Hall to join Hernandez, and the crowd later moved the protest to the Vinewood Police Department.
Hernandez has what he calls a “disdain” for H.R. 336, explaining: “I felt like it was poorly written and it creates a lot of loopholes that can hurt everyone in the city, especially those that are not affiliated.”
At this time, Evans has stated that the intent of the bill is “to create more specific guidelines for law enforcement to help with their investigations and keeping database of gang members, The other purpose is for harsher punishment which in tern would hopefully cause Violent Gang Members to think about the possible punishment of their actions before they go out and commit a Violent Crime against someone or numerous other people.”
The bill has created a firestorm on Y, the platform formerly known as Twitter, with members of the public agitating against the bill since its submission on May 5. Some claim that the bill would grant the police new powers that could easily be abused. Others worry that the standards are too loose, which could create false positives in the database. As citizens gathered at City Hall, they mocked the bill by declaring themselves the “Uwu Gang”, pressing their index fingers together in an attempt to showcase the absurdity of the bill’s standards.
The protest was briefly interrupted by four officers who spoke with Hernandez, asking if he had weapons on his person. According to Hernandez, an anonymous caller reported him to law enforcement, claiming that he was brandishing weapons. “Although I was frisked and I was approached in a manner as though I were a person with a weapon, [the officers] were decent about it,” says Hernandez.
The Gang Violence Act does have its defenders, with Duncan Murray speaking out on Twitter and referring to it as his bill. Marshal Oliver McKenzie was also outspoken in favor of the bill. The next State Representative meeting is currently planned for Saturday, May 11th at 6PM. The meeting will be open to the public, and we’ll doubtlessly hear more questions and concerns regarding H.R. 336.
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