Arizona Republican senators voted Wednesday to expand the state’s racketeering laws to include rioting. That means police could arrest and even seize the assets of those who planned and participated in an event.
The bill would give police new powers to arrest anyone involved in a peaceful demonstration that turns violent.
"Because let's face it folks," Republican Sen. John Kavanagh said. "Wouldn't you rather stop a riot before it starts? Do you really want to wait until people are injuring each other, throwing Molotov cocktails, picking up barricades and smashing them through businesses in downtown Phoenix?"
Kavanagh said he believes many protesters are paid to create disorder, and the measure would let police arrest them before they’ve had a chance to act.
But opponents warned such a broad law could backfire on Republicans.
“And if you're going to say that one person that has nothing to do with the organizers of this protest, one person gets out of control and damages some property then you're going to attack those people that organized the protest?” said Senate Democrat Steve Farley. “That will have a chilling effect on anybody, right or left, who wants to protest something the government has done."
Democratic Sen. Katie Hobbs also disagreed with Kavanagh, saying the idea that people are being paid to cause trouble is “fake news.”
