I decided I'am gonna become a wee bit more active in voicing my discontent with how the government is chipping our rights away in the name of terrorism and all that bullshit. Needless to say, our rights as we know it are going down the tubes. And frankly, nobody gives a damn. I'll give an example:
Once again our freedoms are under attack under the guise of combating terrorism and now gangs. I was checking my mailbox and a friend sent me some info regarding a bill ( Senate Bill 1222 ), that was presented or being passed in California and possibly some other states. My friend also stated the implications it would have, especially with biker clubs and groups. Here is the bill posted on the state of Arizona's Site:
"Increases the presumptive term of incarceration for a person convicted of Committing a felony with the intent to promote, further or assist criminal conduct by a criminal street gang by five years if the offense is a Class 2 or Class 3 felony.
Allows the court to increase the presumptive sentence for a felony committed within a school zone by up to five years if the individual is a member of a street gang.
Increases the classification for Threatening or intimidating another person in order to promote, further or assist a criminal street gang, criminal syndicate or racketeering enterprise from a Class 4 to a Class 3 felony. Threatening and intimidating by a criminal street gang member is reclassified from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony.
Shoplifting if done to promote, further or assist any criminal street gang or criminal syndicate is a class 5 felony.
Establishes the offense, Participating in (Class 2 felony) or Assisting (Class 3 felony) a criminal street gang, separating those provisions from the offense of Participating in or assisting a criminal syndicate.
Allows the use of a common name or identifying sign or symbol to be used to prove the existence of the gang or membership in the gang.
Creates the offenses of Obstructing a criminal investigation and prosecution with the intent to further, promote or assist a gang and hindering prosecution with the intent to further, promote or assist a gang, class 3 felonies.
The Department of Public Safety may enter into a contract with a qualified vendor to provide data monitoring and an alert system for criminal street gang members and registered sex offenders.
In a bail hearing, proof that a person is a criminal street gang member may give rise to the inference that the person poses a substantial danger to another or the community and no condition or combination of conditions of release may be imposed to reasonably insure the safety of a person or community.
Statute(s) Impacted: 13-604, 13-609, 13-1202, 13-1805, 13-2308, 13-2409, 13-2512
Statute(s) Created: 13-2321, 13-3829
Court Impact: Courts will need to be aware of the increased penalties for various offenses when the person charged is a criminal street gang member or when the offense involves promoting, furthering or assisting a criminal street gang. Courts must also be aware that, in a bail hearing, proof that the person is a criminal street gang member may give rise to the inference that the person poses a substantial danger to another person or the community and that no condition or combination of conditions of release may be imposed that will reasonably assure the safety of the other person or the community."
I'am not against certain passages in the bill but, Use of a "....common name, sign or symbol as a means to identify a gang." How freaking vague is that. That could be basically anyone. One passage I read even stated that groups of 3 or more people assembling can be construed as possible gang activity. Yet the constitution states that;
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The right to peaceably assemble, now thats gonna be illegal and government regulated. What about parades? Biker clubs that raise money for charity? The Guardian Angels in NY? These people have common names, signs, and symbols. I hanged in larger groups of 3 or more. Are they gangs or terrorists??? Once again, Americans aren't doing shit about it. Wake up America ! Get involved...I will...
