Bill Overview
Title: Matthew Lawrence Perna Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits the detention of individuals for nonviolent criminal offenses arising out of political protest activities.
Sponsors: Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals detained for nonviolent political protest crimes
Estimated Size: 50000
- Political protests occur in many countries, meaning this law could potentially influence legislative thoughts globally.
- Typically, individuals detained for nonviolent offenses arising from political protests are activists or demonstrators.
- Increased visibility due to such legislation may bring attention to political protest issues worldwide and influence policy changes.
- Assuming a few hundred cases per protest depending on scale, a wide range of potential beneficiaries emerge.
Reasoning
- The policy mainly affects individuals who have participated in political protests in the US, particularly those detained for nonviolent offenses. This includes a mix of youth, activists, and other concerned citizens.
- Considering the budget constraints, the policy may have a high impact on a small group directly involved in such protests, while the indirect impact may heighten awareness or encouragement for political activism.
- A widescreen approach is unnecessary here because the policy specifically targets nonviolent protest-related detentions, which are relatively small in number compared to the general population. Given the budget constraints, the policy needs to focus on impactful but cost-effective executions.
- Inclusion of various perspectives, such as university students, seasoned activists, occasional protestors, and uninvolved citizens, helps in understanding both direct recipients of the policy's consequences and potential social ripple effects.
Simulated Interviews
College Student (Portland, OR)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being detained during a peaceful protest was frightening and discouraged me from attending future events.
- If implemented, this policy would make me feel safer when voicing my opinion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Freelance Journalist (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The fear of detention keeps not just protestors but even reporters from doing their job effectively.
- The Matthew Lawrence Perna Act would offer some peace of mind to those caught in such sweeps.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing friends who have been detained, I see this policy as bringing some relief to peaceful activists.
- I admire the move but believe systemic change is needed for broader impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Activist (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this could change the landscape for activist work heavily reliant on young, energetic participants.
- It may not prevent arrests but would alleviate legal anxieties post-protest.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Retired School Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see it as a shield for young people, but I don't think it affects me directly.
- If this helps keep young ones safe and engaged, then it's beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graphic Designer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The looming threat of detention keeps many from freely expressing their views.
- I think this policy could let people demonstrate without fear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
High School Student (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Acts like this clear a path for people my age to be more active without fear.
- It's a good starting point, but ensuring protester rights at a wider level is necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Lawyer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 66 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Generally favorable towards protective legislation for demonstrators.
- Would be glad to see such laws cutting down unnecessary legal battles for innocent protestors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Biotech Researcher (Boston, MA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might encourage more scientists and academics like me to join protests without undue fear.
- A positive, albeit small, adjustment to the way demonstrations unfold.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the movement for such legislation as a good thing, even if it won't affect me directly.
- Helps create a healthier culture around civil protests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $2100000 (Low: $1050000, High: $5250000)
Year 3: $2200000 (Low: $1100000, High: $5500000)
Year 5: $2300000 (Low: $1150000, High: $5750000)
Year 10: $2500000 (Low: $1250000, High: $6250000)
Year 100: $4000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy is intended to address the mass detention of nonviolent political protesters, which is a growing civil rights concern.
- Implementation requires legal and procedural changes at the state and federal levels to ensure compliance and effective enforcement.
- Public and political reactions could affect future policy developments related to civil rights and freedom of protest.