Following the UK’s Example, NY Should Jail Unlawful Protesters.
New York is preparing for a period of unrest and disruption as anti-Israel college students return to campus and the upcoming presidential election looms.
For the protests to remain peaceful, the city could learn from Britain, where prosecutors and judges are enforcing the law to hold demonstrators accountable for their illegal actions, regardless of their political beliefs.
A recent example of this is Judge Christopher Hehir sentencing climate activist Roger Hallam and his accomplices to jail time for shutting down a major highway in southern England in 2022. The action was deemed a public nuisance and resulted in significant consequences for the public.
The defendants were found guilty of causing harm by blocking the highway for several days, leading to gridlock in four counties. They organized the blockade through a public Zoom meeting, recruiting participants and disrupting normal activities.
Judge Hehir emphasized that the defendants understood the potential consequences of their actions and intentionally caused harm, affecting people’s schedules and causing financial damages.
Despite the defendants’ argument that they were acting in response to the climate emergency, Judge Hehir noted that this was not a valid excuse but rather an aggravating factor in their sentencing.
In contrast to leniency seen in New York after disruptive protests, British judges are handing down strict sentences to individuals involved in illegal actions, regardless of their political affiliations.
While the United States upholds the First Amendment, which protects peaceful protests, chronic low-level lawbreaking should not be tolerated. Prosecutors in New York, like Alvin Bragg, could start by pressing charges for repeat violations and seeking appropriate sentences to deter future offenses.
Ultimately, holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their beliefs, is essential to maintaining order and deterring future illegal activities.
Nicole Gelinas is a contributing editor to the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal.
