Republican lawmakers in North Dakota are taking aim at protesters with a handful of bills that would make another pipeline protest far more dangerous. A bill that state GOP Rep. Keith Kempenich introduced would exempt drivers from liability if they accidentally hit a pedestrian, according to the Bismarck Tribune. House Bill 1203 was written up in direct response to groups of protesters blocking roadways, Kempenich told the paper. Other new bills would be a thorn in the side of protesters and the federal government. “Knee-jerk legislation often is poor legislation,” Democratic state Rep. Marvin Nelson told ABC News.

Source: Huffington Post January 14, 2017 16:52 UTC