MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly has approved a bill that would create tougher penalties for protesters.
The proposal would make attending a riot or blocking a street a misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in jail and participating in a riot that causes property damage or personal injury a felony punishable by up to three-and-a-half years in prison.
The Senate and Assembly passed the measure Tuesday and sent it on to Gov. Tony Evers. The Assembly also was set to consider a bill that would make it a felony to damage government property of historical significance.
The bills come after protesters burned parts of downtown Kenosha and damaged two state Capitol statues in 2020.
