A Washington state lawmaker wants a law allowing police to charge protesters with committing "economic terrorism."
Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Wash., is proposing a bill which would also allow cops to charge protesters with felonies for a range of other crimes, The Hill reported.
"I respect the right to protest, but when it endangers people's lives and property, it goes too far," said Ericksen, who is described as an outspoken supporter of President-elect Donald Trump. "Fear, intimidation and vandalism are not a legitimate form of political expression. Those who employ it must be called to account."
"We are not just going after the people who commit these acts of terrorism," he added. "We are going after the people who fund them. Wealthy donors should not feel safe in disrupting middle-class jobs."
Ericksen's proposed law came as anti-Trump protests hit cities around the nation. So far, protests in his home state have been peaceful.
Under his proposed law, protesting would be a class C felony if it caused any "economic disruption" or jeopardized human life and property. Violators would face five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
A group organizing a protest that is deemed disruptive would also be charged with "economic terrorism," according to the Hill.
The Seattle Times reported the state chapter of the ACLU has criticized his proposal.
It's "the kind of excessive rhetoric that this country has seen enough of recently," said Doug Honig, spokesman for the Washington chapter of the ACLU.