Prosecutor: Highway protests will not be tolerated
Lead Summary
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Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters has responded to reports alleging possible highway shutdowns along the nation's interstates on Monday, Sept. 27.
Deters announced that anyone found intentionally blocking highways in Hamilton County would be arrested.
The so-called "Patriot Protest or "Patriot Shutdown" would involve over-the-road truck drivers blocking traffic flows in protest of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
"I want to be perfectly clear," Deters said. "Anyone who attempts to shut down the highways in Hamilton County will be removed from their vehicles, charged with felony disrupting public services and they will go to jail. To those who claim to be supportive of law enforcement – law enforcement is not with you. This would pose a serious danger for our first-responders and the community at large.
"I have always been supportive of a citizen's First Amendment right to protest, but this is not lawful and it is reckless. It will not be tolerated."
The protests reportedly are planned for 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27.
Deters announced that anyone found intentionally blocking highways in Hamilton County would be arrested.
The so-called "Patriot Protest or "Patriot Shutdown" would involve over-the-road truck drivers blocking traffic flows in protest of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
"I want to be perfectly clear," Deters said. "Anyone who attempts to shut down the highways in Hamilton County will be removed from their vehicles, charged with felony disrupting public services and they will go to jail. To those who claim to be supportive of law enforcement – law enforcement is not with you. This would pose a serious danger for our first-responders and the community at large.
"I have always been supportive of a citizen's First Amendment right to protest, but this is not lawful and it is reckless. It will not be tolerated."
The protests reportedly are planned for 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27.