Introducing The Next Generation Of Leaders And Thinkers

Mississippi Might Pass a ‘Blue Lives Matter’ Law

In Mississippi, a bill has been sent to the Senate that criminalizes assault against police officers, firefighters, and first emergency responders as hate crime. 

The bill, SB-2569, supposedly comes in response to the shooting and killing of five police officers by the Dallas sniper Micah Xavier in July of 2016.

“I think everyone is aware where law enforcement were targeted, especially in Dallas.” – Miss. Senate Judiciary Chairman Sean Tindell (R-Gulfport)

According to Tindell, killing a law enforcement officer is already punishable by the death penalty, but under SB-2469 the punishment will become enhanced and offer no early parole.

There was dispute over the language used within the bill with an admendement brought forward by Senator Barbra Blackmon
(D-Canton). Blackmon argued that if an officer harms someone fatally or not, and is not following proper procedure, they should be charged with a hate crime as well.

However, Tindell disagreed as he does not think that SB-2469 “is the appropriate bill for that.” Needless to say, Blackmon’s admendment failed, but only after she gave a heart wrenching story about the accostment of both of her sons by police officers in the Jackson Metro Area due to racial profiling.

The Mississippi ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) Executive Director Jennifer Riley-Collins gave a statement on the bill:

Not only is this bill unnecessary, but there is absolutely no evidence it will make police safer. Statistics show that violence against police is down. There are already severe, enhanced penalties for assaults on police officers in Mississippi. This bill, and others like it, prioritize police over people.

If the bill is passed through the Legislature it will go into immediate effect July 1.

Comments are closed.

Related Posts