Political Quotes

Chris Smith: “The problem is that it would be a very minimal sentence, if it was a sentence at all, a very minimal fine. And the…”

On the recordMay 5, 1994
The problem is that it would be a very minimal sentence, if it was a sentence at all, a very minimal fine. And the difference is the draconian aspects of this legislation, which says that you go to jail for a year and a half simply for sitting in front of the door or on a sidewalk. That does not comport with what I thought American law is all about in terms of justice. And the problem with this legislation is that it blurs the distinction between violence, which I absolutely abhor, and with nonviolent civil disobedience, which has been the hallmark, the staple of every single human rights, civil rights movement in this country.
Said by
Chris Smith
Republican · New Jersey
Source
govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the implications of legislation on civil disobedience during a House floor debate.

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