ATLANTA — On a party-line vote, Georgia senators approved legislation that would impose harsher penalties on people who commit crimes during protests, require protesters to first obtain a permit from their local government and punish municipalities that tell public safety officers to "stand down" during a riot.
Senate Bill 171 passed the Senate 31-21 on Tuesday, with Republicans voting in favor of the measure.
Several versions of SB 171 have been proposed in the Senate over the last year. The approved version would increase the penalties for crimes such as blocking a highway, assaulting someone or damaging property if it involves groups of two or more.
