Lawmaker asks federal transportation funds be withheld from Minnesota if highway protests continue

A Minnesota lawmaker says he’s asked federal authorities to withhold transportation funding to the state if protests on highways continue.

Rep. Cal Bahr, R-East Bethel, said he sent letters to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Gov. Tim Walz, Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington regarding protests blocking highways in Minnesota.

"In the last few months, we have seen two of our primary interstates blocked by protesters, Interstate 35 and Interstate 94," said Bahr. "State and local officials have seemingly acquiesced and allowed protesters to illegally commandeer the interstate highway system at their leisure. I have sent letters to state and federal leaders requesting that such criminal activity be stopped, and that federal transportation funds be withheld if these actions are allowed to continue."

Protesters march on I-94, through St. Paul

Bahr, who owns a trucking company and works as a commercial driver outside of the legislative session, said the protests on Minnesota’s highways can’t continue.

"The right to assemble and peacefully protest is a constitutional right that is essential to our nation," said Bahr. "Furthermore, peaceful protests are a terrific exercise of individual liberty. However, no individual or group has the right to restrict other citizens from travelling freely. The unlawful blocking of highways by protesters is a severe infringement on the rights of all Minnesotans. Finally, state and local leaders have failed to maintain order when protesters have blocked highways. The May 31st incident on 35W demonstrates that blocking highways is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike."

Peaceful march happening in downtown Minneapolis for George Floyd