UPDATES
Rep. Attica Scott, a Democrat from Louisville, said she was worried that the legislation would disproportionately affect minorities and protesters.
I’m concerned that HB 14 will give this kind of fearmongering a license to charge me with a hate crime for doing what my ancestors did during the Civil Rights Movement — standing up for the diversity of our state and the most vulnerable of our communities.
She filed an amendment to the bill, which was rejected by a vote of 20 to 60.
On February 13th, The Kentucky House of Representatives voted 77/13 in favor of HB14.
Representatives from Jefferson County provided the only no votes, including Rep. Cantrell who had voted in favor of the bill in the Judiciary Committee but voted against it in the House session. Our proudest moments in this fight were from the democratic reps from Louisville, who were willing not just to call this bill divisive, but declare why.
Rep. Jim Wayne made these compelling statements regarding what the Blue Lives Matter bill is about and how it was never intended to protect anyone!
We have laws already on the books to protect first responders. I was not approached by one single first responder on this legislation. We have to think what it's like to suffer from systemic racism. I urge my fellow white male House representatives to learn about our oppressed brothers and sisters and why Black Lives Matter. This Blue Lives Matter bill sets up a false choice between first responders and the black community.
http://wfpl.org/amid-protests-blue-lives-matter-bill-passes-state-house/