Pennsylvania lawmakers may soon consider legislation to classify “political intimidation” as a criminal offense, a move supporters say would address rising ideologically driven violence.
Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-Honesdale, circulated the proposal following the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk and the April firebombing of the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg. “Just as Pennsylvania law has long recognized that crimes motivated by racial, ethnic, or religious animus deserve enhanced punishment, so too must we act to ensure that individuals are not targeted because of their political affiliation,” Fritz wrote in his memo. He emphasized that the bill would target conduct, not speech, preserving protections for peaceful protest and advocacy.
The state already criminalizes voter intimidation as a third-degree felony. Fritz’s bill would expand protections to ensure Pennsylvanians can “speak, campaign, vote, and serve in public life free from intimidation.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro, speaking at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, echoed calls for “moral clarity,” urging leaders to model tolerance and reject political violence. He noted Pennsylvania’s history under William Penn as a place of religious and political freedom, stressing that disagreement should be met with more speech, not violence.
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