Assemblymember Sam Berger has introduced groundbreaking legislation, The Dialogue & Decorum Act (A.8334), set to establish the crime of disruption or disturbance of a lawful assembly by making such crime a class A misdemeanor. The bill guarantees the First Amendment of the United States Constitution right to freedom of speech and assembly will not be denied by those intent on silencing speech they disagree with.
Everyone has the right to speak; however, using your voice to cancel out the voice of another is an abuse of that right. "This isn’t about silencing opposition, but making sure everyone can be heard," said the Assemblymember. "We say hate has no place in New York, and that includes hate for people whose opinions and beliefs oppose our own. The path to respect and tolerance starts with dialogue. It's time to talk to each other. It's time to listen. It's time to bring decorum back to New York."
In recent weeks, the issue has gone viral both on college campuses and other public spaces. New Yorkers are seeing the suppression of ideas and viewpoints in the form of interrupting and drowning out speeches and gatherings. Every person has the right to speak on all subjects, but remains responsible for misconduct which is an abuse of that right under both the United States and New York State Constitutions. This bill, modeled after California Penal Code § 403, aims to uphold the First Amendment, ensuring people can exercise their rights without fear of intimidation or unwarranted interference, by holding accountable those who would use their speech to suppress the speech of others.
The bill is co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Hevesi (Forest Hills), and Bichotte Hermelyn (Flatbush).
By QJL Staff
