A security fence is seen from outside the Capitol complex during a legislature meeting on Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The fence was erected as part of a series of security measures following the US Capitol uprising in January. State GOP leaders have asked for it to be abolished.
Stewart State Senators will discuss the Clean Fuel Standard Act during the Senate debate during the annual legislature on Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The bill, which aims to create financial incentives to reduce fuel emissions, was passed by the Senate 25-14.
A fence can be seen around the State Capitol in Santa Fe on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Republican lawmakers in New Mexico have asked the state to remove protective barriers that were erected around the State Capitol after the January 6 uprising that erected supporters of the State Capitol, President Donald Trump broke into the U.S. Capitol to discard the results of the presidential elections. Republicans in the state legislature on Tuesday called on the Legislative Council to remove the fences around the facility, arguing that “the threat did not arise”.
From MORGAN LEE Associated Press
SANTA FE, NM (AP) – A proposal to make the demonstration illegal in a certain private residence in New Mexico was narrowly approved by the State House.
The House voted 33:31 on Thursday against the ban on “targeted picket lines in residential areas” to protect people from harassment or terrorism in their homes by demonstrators. The measure will be submitted to the Senate for examination. Earlier this week, the Idaho House of Representatives passed similar laws.
The New Mexico bill would make it a criminal offense to convey public opinion or message outside of a particular home, “by voice or by standing or marching with a sign, banner, sound reinforcement device, or other means”.
The proposed restrictions sparked a three-hour hurricane debate in which privacy and home refuge concerns were raised against critics who feared the bill would violate fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
Rio Rancho Rep. Jason Harper, a co-sponsor of the bill, said the initiative was inspired by the experience of an unnamed retired couple in Rio Rancho that was targeted by protesters.
His pitch won the support of leading Democrats, including Rep. Patricia Lundstrom of Gallup, Chair of the House Budgets Committee.
But many Democrats and Republicans said freedom of speech concerns should prevail or that lawmakers should postpone ordinances from the local community.
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