Minnesota gov vetoes bill imposing stricter penalties on protesters who block public works

The governor of Minnesota on Saturday vetoed a bill that would impose stricter penalties on demonstrators who block entry to public works.

“I believe that blocking access to freeways and airports is a matter of public safety for everyone involved,” Gov. Mark Dayton (D) wrote in a letter to the speaker of Minnesota’s House.

{mosads}“However, I do not support the broad transit provisions in this bill. The language does not provide clarity regarding the actual crimes, for which it creates stiffer penalties.”

Minnesota’s House has a Republican majority, while Dayton is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, which is associated with the national Democratic Party.

The Saint Paul Pioneer Press earlier this month reported that the legislation passed through the lower chamber despite opposition from Democrats. 

“I believe that the Statute’s existing language: ‘tends to….’ is unacceptably vague and subjective,” Dayton wrote in the letter.

“I do not support applying that language to acts that would be classified as gross misdemeanors.”