Activists Blast NC Republican Measure Raising Riot Penalties

Several Black activists are blasting a Republican measure at the North Carolina House that would increase penalties for rioters, calling it racist legislation. The House voted this week for the bill, which also would allow property owners to seek three times the monetary damage caused by a rioter. Speakers at a news conference Thursday said the measure is designed to silence otherwise peaceful demonstrators for racial justice. House Speaker Tim Moore sponsored the bill and says it would shield businesses and residents from mayhem while discouraging violent actors from attempting to hijack peaceful vigils. Nearly half of the House Democrats voted for the bill.