Bill Overview
Title: Residential Protest Prohibition Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a new criminal offense for picketing or protesting before or about the dwelling of any person with the intent to harass or disturb that person in his or her dwelling. A violation is subject to a fine and a prison term of not more than one year.
Sponsors: Rep. Timmons, William R. IV [R-SC-4]
Target Audience
Population: People participating in or organizing residential protests or picketing
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill targets individuals who participate in protests or picketing at residential locations.
- Protests at residential locations are a tactic sometimes used in political activism, especially in cases involving public figures or decisions made by individuals in power.
- The bill affects activists, political organizations, and those who protest as a form of expressing discontent or advocating for social change.
- It may also impact legal advisors who guide activist strategies so they avoid legal repercussions.
Reasoning
- The policy budget allows for implementation and enforcement across a wide range of participants, but the focus will likely be more on areas with higher propensities for residential protests (i.e., major urban areas with political figures).
- The population affected includes a subset of activists who utilize residential protests as a means of expression.
- Most people, including political activists, may not significantly change their protest behaviors, indicating some may not be directly affected unless consistently engaging in residential protests.
Simulated Interviews
Activist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe residential protests are sometimes necessary to make people in power truly aware of the consequences of their decisions on the community.
- This law could discourage activists from powerful forms of protest, but it won't stop us from finding new ways to protest.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Lawyer (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ability to protest is a fundamental part of democratic expression, and this policy can suppress this right.
- While the policy could reduce legal liabilities for my clients, it also might limit their protest options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Retired Government Employee (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Protests often disturb the peace in our neighborhood, causing stress and anxiety.
- This policy might finally provide some relief from the constant noise and disruption.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Political Organization Leader (Portland, OR)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a blow to activists who see direct action as a vital tool in their arsenal.
- It will force us to rethink our strategies, maybe push us to digital protests or other venues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
City Councillor (New York, NY)
Age: 52 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Protests at homes can dangerously escalate tensions and bring unwarranted stress.
- This policy seeks to balance legitimate protest rights with the peace of communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As students, our voices need to be heard, and protesting is one way we do that.
- This policy could make us shift focus from homes to more public spaces, which might be less intrusive but also less impactful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Public Officer (Charleston, SC)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While understanding the need for expression, people’s homes should be sanctuaries from the public sphere.
- This law helps maintain peace in private places without crushing public dissent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Residential protests provide strong narratives, showing raw emotions and public pressures.
- This policy could dilute the impact of some stories, requiring more creative approaches to activism coverage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Retired Judge (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial to find a balance between maintaining order and protecting the right to protest.
- This policy could face challenges regarding its enforcement and clarity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Community Organizer (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems to target grassroots efforts that often rely on more direct forms of protest.
- It will require us to engage differently but also to find positive channels for change within these constraints.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Year 2: $3200000 (Low: $2200000, High: $4200000)
Year 3: $3400000 (Low: $2400000, High: $4400000)
Year 5: $3800000 (Low: $2800000, High: $4800000)
Year 10: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $5500000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy is likely to face legal challenges regarding freedom of expression and assembly.
- The deterrent effect on residential protests could alter the strategies employed by activists.
- The administrative burden on law enforcement and judicial systems could increase due to the processing of violations.