VIDEO RELEASE: Senator Moody Demands Protection for Law Enforcement Following Tragic Incident in Minnesota, Urges Passage of HALO Act

Click image above or HEREto watch.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-In November, Senator Ashley Moody introduced the Halo Act to protect federal law enforcement officers while doing their jobs. Now, as assaults against ICE officers are up 1,300% and death threats against officers are up 8,000%, Senator Moody today took to the Senate floor to call for her colleagues to support her Halo Act. The Halo Act is modeled after Florida's Halo Law which establishes a 25-foot buffer zone around first responders to ensure their safety and allow them to do their jobs without interference or distraction.

Excerpts from Senator Moody's remarks on the floor today:

"The horrific situation that occurred yesterday in Minnesota is tragic. [A] radical protestor intending to run over federal immigration officers with [a] car, that cannot happen. In fact, protestors that show up with intent to harass…impede…or violently assault officers, that cannot happen. When they are doing their jobs, it is a precarious, often dangerous situation, and I can tell you that firsthand as the wife of a law enforcement officer…

"I introduced the Halo Act back in November…because I saw the threats against our LEOs were rapidly increasing…What we saw yesterday wasn't an isolated incident, it is part of a broader pattern of coordinated efforts, encouraged by elected politicians…encouraging people to get in the way of police officers doing their jobs…

"This alarming trend threatens public safety and the rule of law…The Halo Act will ensure that federal officers can do their jobs without fear of intimidation, interference, or violence. This legislation would make it illegal for anyone-after being told to stay back-to knowingly come within 25 feet of a federal officer who is doing their job if their intent is to interfere with the officer's work or threaten with physical harm…

"I implore my colleagues to join in this mission…and cosponsor the Halo Act. It is obvious we must act now to protect the officers who protect us. And we must send a message that targeted attacks…must end.

"Ahead of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we have to acknowledge that without the men and women who put on a badge every day, this would not be a country that we know. It is a fragile line between order and chaos, and the people that sign up to stand on the line, come what may, need to be protected and this act would do just that."

Watch full remarks here.

Specifically, Senator Moody's Halo Act would:

• Make it illegal for anyone-after being told to stay back-to knowingly come within 25 feet of a federal immigration officer who is doing their job if their intent is to:
  • Get in the way or interfere with the officer's work,
  • Threaten the officer with physical harm, or
  • Harass the officer.
• Anyone who breaks this rule could face a fine, up to five years in prison, or both.

Read bill text here.

MORE…

Senator Moody's Halo Act to Protect Federal Officers from Threats, Harassment, and Violence While Doing Their Job Garners Support in the U.S. Senate

Senator Moody Condemns Attack on National Guard Members and Urges Senate to Pass Halo Act to Protect Federal Officers from Threats

###