In advance of the paid performative idiocy that was the $115 million “No Kings” campaign this weekend, the Louisiana Freedom Caucus caused a bit of a stir by putting out a message containing some quite obvious wisdom…

In response to growing concerns over public safety and road-blocking incidents in violent protests around the country, the Louisiana Freedom Caucus (LAFC) reminds citizens of their right to self-defense under Louisiana law — both civilly and criminally — when faced with imminent danger on public roads. One national organization has several cities in Louisiana targeted for riots June 14th: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Covington, Ruston, Leesville, Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles and Lafayette.

Thanks to legislation authored by LAFC member Rep. Jay Gallé, Louisiana law now provides civil immunity to any driver who reasonably believes they or their passengers are in immediate danger from individuals illegally blocking a public roadway, and who uses their vehicle solely to retreat or escape the threat. The protections are clear: you cannot be sued if you’re acting to save your life or the lives of others.

Additionally, existing Louisiana statutes on justifiable use of force support your right to self-defense in such situations. If a criminal charge were brought against a driver, they would be entitled to assert that they acted to prevent serious bodily harm — a defense grounded in Louisiana’s long-standing commitment to the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Key facts:

• R.S. 9:2792.10 shields drivers from civil lawsuits when fleeing unlawful road blockades in self-defense.
• Louisiana criminal law recognizes the right to use force — including with a vehicle — to prevent death or serious injury.

“Louisiana will not tolerate lawlessness nor threats to personal safety,” said Rep. Jay Gallé, Member of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus. “We passed this law so innocent people would not be punished for seeking safety and self-defense. We all have a fundamental right to protect ourselves and our families, and this piece of legislation protects that right without fear of being sued, and without fear of prosecution.”

“The Louisiana Freedom Caucus will continue to support legislation that upholds the rule of law, protects the innocent, and ensures that no citizen is punished for defending themselves,” said Beryl Amedée, Chairwoman of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus. “Self-defense is a basic human right.”

Not a single word in that message isn’t true, of course, and it’s eminently reasonable that if you’re in your car and an unruly mob fills the street, blocking you from traveling away from them, you can and should see that mob as a threat.

Let’s not forget what happened to truck driver Reginald Denny, who was pulled from the cab of his truck and beaten within an inch of his life, including having a brick thrown down onto his head as he lay defenseless, by a mob during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

And while a demonstration might look “peaceful,” everyone should understand that all demonstrations start out “peaceful” – until that changes.

Any demonstration, moreover, which blocks traffic on a street is not peaceful – not unless that demonstration is permitted to block traffic and the police have set up detours around it. Which, of course, would mean that you wouldn’t be put in a position of facing down demonstrators blocking your ingress or egress.

And with Louisiana’s recent epidemic of carjackings, nobody should be forced to remain still in the presence of pedestrians threatening or otherwise molesting them while in their vehicles.

Most of the responses to the original statement were positive. But there are always knuckleheads. Here were a couple…

And naturally, the Democrat Party, which is ceasing to exist as a political party and increasingly is more of a criminal syndicate which manifests a series of public tantrums, put out a huffing-and-puffing statement accusing the Freedom Caucus of promoting violence…

To be clear, that statement by the Democrats is an open endorsement of, and an invitation to, “protesters” blocking roads. And naturally, they had to bring race into it.

Which is not very realistic, in light of the current riots in Los Angeles and the things we’ve seen in those political demonstrations this year. It’s been stupid white people blocking roads and winning stupid prizes in the bargain, not black people.

In fact, this is the most viral street-blocking video we’ve seen…

In Louisiana, the law says you don’t have to tolerate being effectively kidnapped by street-blockers. It doesn’t give license to anybody pulling a Charlottesville or pretending it’s Death Race 2000, but you also don’t have to just sit there and have an unruly group of inconsiderate malcontents conscripting you into their protest. Drive around them if you can, or through them if you have to. You have the right of way and nobody who consciously blocks a street is a “peaceful” protester.

The Freedom Caucus responded to the Democrats’ whining a bit later…

The Louisiana Freedom Caucus (LAFC) is unapologetic in its defense of every citizen’s right to protect themselves and their families from violent, lawless mobs. The LAFC affirms that this message is both timely and necessary with events targeting 10 Louisiana cities today.

The Public Service Announcement we issued reminds Louisianans of their right under state law to use their vehicle to escape immediate danger when in fear for their lives — including from rioters illegally blocking public roadways. This includes civil immunity under R.S. 9:2792.10 and protections under Louisiana’s justifiable use-of-force statutes. When surrounded by angry, violent mobs they have the option of driving out to safety.

“Instead of condemning the violence by their fellow travelers blinded by hatred for President Donald Trump, Democrats responded with their usual charges of racism,” said Rep. Beryl Amedée, Chairwoman of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus. “Democrat leadership in this state seems more offended by the notion of citizens defending themselves than by the violence that puts our people in harm’s way. They should apologize for supporting the ‘mostly peaceful protests’ the American people have been subjected to over the past weeks and years.”

During the nationwide riots against President Trump in 2020, violent agitators overran cities, looted businesses, and targeted police. In St. Louis, retired Police Captain David Dorn was shot and killed while trying to protect a business. Four other St. Louis police officers were also shot by violent mobs. In Las Vegas, an officer was permanently paralyzed by a gunshot to the head.

Across the country, over 900 law enforcement officers were injured during these “mostly peaceful protests” — including 277 federal officers defending the federal courthouse in Portland from a violent arson attack that rendered the structure unusable to date. 60 Secret Service agents were injured outside the White House when “mostly peaceful protesters” tried to overrun the home of America’s President.

The Louisiana Freedom Caucus will continue to defend the rule of law, protect innocent citizens, and ensure every Louisianan knows their rights in the face of lawless violence.