Time for Federal Govt to Stop Enabling Violent or Destructive Protesters
Legislation Would Deny Payment to Those Guilty of Protest Related Crimes
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, the Republican and Conservative Party candidate for Congress in the New York’s 11th District (Staten Island-Southwestern Brooklyn) announced on her backing of the ‘Support Peaceful Protest Act’ which was introduced last week by Congressman Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican. The legislation would deny eligibility for enhanced federal unemployment benefits to anyone convicted of vandalism, looting or violence in relation to a protest march or demonstration.
Malliotakis called the legislation, “a step in the right direction to combat the civil unrest our nation faces” and pledged to co-sponsor the legislation when elected to congress.
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis said, “Since the end of May we’ve seen civil unrest sweep across the country. While the vast majority of protesters have been peaceful, a small minority wreaked havoc; vandalizing private property, attacking monuments and government buildings, looting and engaging in vicious attacks in on law enforcement.
“The Support Peaceful Protest Act is a step in the right direct to combat the civil unrest our nation faces. The passage of the Act would send a clear message to potential lawbreakers; if you are convicted of any of the serious crimes listed in the legislation, you will pay the price by being deemed ineligible for enhanced federal unemployment benefits like the $600 being dispersed as part of the COVID-19 economic stimulus package. It is ludicrous that federal government should be enabling destructive and violent anti-government agitators to collect a weekly allowance while they break laws and create mayhem in the streets of our cities. After being sworn in as a Member of Congress, one of my first acts will be to join Rep. Banks as a cosponsor of this legislation.”