By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services
Over objections about infringing on First Amendment rights, a divided House has approved legislation that would outlaw “encampments” on college and university campuses.
The 41-17 vote Monday came on legislation crafted by Rep. Alma Hernandez who told colleagues about incidents from last year’s pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests.
The issue, said the Tucson Democrat, who is Jewish, is not about the ability to protest, but that what was occurring crossed the line.
“We just want to make sure that individuals are able to go to class without being harassed — without having to take alternate routes just because there are individuals who do not want them to exist,” she said. “Nothing in the First Amendment protects an encampment.”
