Tuberville supports making it a federal crime to block a public road

June 23, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) joined U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) in introducing the Safe and Open Streets Act in response to recent anti-immigration law enforcement riots in Los Angles.

The senators' legislation would make it a federal crime to purposely obstruct, delay, or impact commerce by blocking a public road or highway. The penalties would range from fines to up to five years in prison.

Senator Tuberville went even further and called for the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their abject failures to do anything constructive during this crisis. Tuberville chastised them for their failure to punish the domestic terrorists in Los Angeles who were obstructing roads, putting American citizens in danger and compromising the free flow of commerce.

"For nearly a week, we watched as domestic terrorists assaulted ICE and law enforcement officers, set fire to cop cars, and blocked streets in Los Angeles and in other blue cities across the country-all while Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass sat on their tails and did nothing," said Senator Tuberville. "The First Amendment gives us the right to freedom of assembly, but it doesn't give the right to block our streets and put American lives at risk. I'm proud to join the Safe and Open Streets Act that restores law and order by holding radical protestors accountable."

"The emerging tactic of radical protestors blocking roads and stopping commerce is not only obnoxious to innocent commuters, but it's also dangerous and will eventually get people killed. It needs to be a crime throughout the country," said Senator Tillis. "I'm proud to introduce the Safe and Open Streets Act so that radical activists who resort to these reckless and dangerous tactics are held accountable under the full weight of the law for endangering public safety."

"Blocking major roads to stop traffic flows is nothing short of lawlessness that should not be tolerated," said Senator Blackburn. "These activists are not only intentionally creating a dangerous situation for themselves, but perhaps for a citizen who is awaiting an ambulance or a hard worker who will lose their job for being late. The Safe and Open Streets Act is critical to stopping this reckless behavior, particularly by Hamas sympathizers, in our U.S. cities."

"Protestors who willfully block traffic pose a serious threat to public safety by impacting the flow of emergency vehicles and personnel," said Senator Budd. "They can also significantly inconvenience Americans trying to get to and from work, school, or important personal business. The First Amendment protects the right to assemble and protest peacefully, but it does not permit such behavior. I'm proud to join Sen. Tillis and our colleagues in ensuring America's streets are kept clear for everyone."

"In America, people have the right to peacefully gather and make their voices heard. They do not have the right to obstruct roads, riot, and undermine people's livelihoods," said Dr. Cassidy.