"Under the proposal from state Sen. Mark Finchem, Arizona's legal definition of a riot would be changed to include when two or more people 'recklessly use force or violence' in a way that damages another person's property. This would mean protesters could get charged with a class 5 felony, which carries with it between 6 months and 2 years in prison."
"The proposal would also add inciting a riot to the legal definitions of racketeering and conspiracy, which could allow prosecutors to charge protesters with organized crime felonies, lengthening a prison sentence even further."
"Arizona prosecutors have previously sought to lock up protesters by using laws aimed at cracking down on street gangs and organized crime. After a 2020 protest for police reform in downtown Phoenix, Maricopa County prosecutor April Sponsel told a grand jury that 15 people arrested were part of a street gang called ACAB."
Arizona state Senator Mark Finchem proposes changing the legal definition of a riot to include property damage by protesters. This change would classify such actions as a class 5 felony, punishable by 6 months to 2 years in prison. Additionally, the proposal aims to categorize inciting a riot under racketeering and conspiracy laws, potentially leading to organized crime charges. Previous attempts to prosecute protesters have involved mischaracterizing them as gang members, raising concerns about the misuse of laws intended for organized crime.
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