The Michigan House passed legislation Tuesday that would make protesting in the street without a permit a criminal offense punishable by jail time.

The bill was approved Tuesday, Sept. 16, in a 61-42 vote largely along party lines, with all Republicans and four Democrats in favor. It is unlikely to pass the Democratic-majority Senate.

The Democrats who voted in favor of the bill are state Reps. Tullio Liberati, D-Allen Park, Denise Mentzer, D-Mount Clemens, Angela Witwer, D-Delta Township, and Mai Xiong, D-Warren.

Blocking or impeding traffic is currently a civil infraction with a $100 fine, but the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Alicia St. Germaine, R-Harrison Township, has said that’s not enough to deter people from halting traffic, whether it’s for a protest or a party.

Under St. Germ

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