Last weekend, thousands gathered at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City for a peaceful demonstration as part of the national ‘No Kings’ movement. Despite heat and humidity, the crowd remained peaceful, with no reported injuries or arrests. Public figures including Jonathan Van Ness made appearances, and speakers focused on civil liberties, freedom of expression, and accountability.
While Oklahoma’s protests were largely uneventful, a disturbing incident in Los Angeles went viral the same weekend. A driver, surrounded by protesters in the street, slowly proceeded through the crowd, ultimately running over a woman who had jumped in front of the car. The video triggered a wave of online discussion—and in some cases, confusion—about what drivers are legally allowed to do when caught in similar situations.
WHAT OKLAHOMA LAW SAYS
In 2021, following a high-profile highway incident during a Tulsa protest, Oklahoma passed House Bill 1674. This law covers two major areas: 1. It makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine, to block a public street or highway without a permit.
2. It grants civil and criminal immunity to drivers who unintentionally injure someone while fleeing a ‘riot’—defined legally as a group of three or more people threatening or using force—provided the driver feared for their safety and acted with due care.
Peaceful Protest or Riot: The Legal Difference Here’s the key: a peaceful protest, like the one seen in Oklahoma City, does not qualify as a riot. Even if traffic is disrupted, drivers are not protected by HB 1674 unless a credible threat of vi- olence exists. Fear alone is not enough—it must be reasonable and based on actual threats or force.
SO WHAT SHOULD DRIVERS DO?
If you encounter a protest or crowd in the road, the best course of action is simple:
• Stay calm, keep your windows up and doors locked.
• Avoid confrontation—don’t get out of your vehicle.
• If the path is blocked, call 911 and wait for assistance.
• If the crowd becomes violent or threatening, and you feel your safety is truly at risk, you may slowly and carefully drive away.
• Document everything— dashcam video, phone footage, and eyewitness accounts may be critical if an incident occurs.
LEGAL GREY AREAS STILL EXIST It’s worth noting that parts of HB 1674 are currently under legal review after being challenged in federal court. Critics say the law could discourage lawful protest. Until the courts rule definitively, enforcement may vary by jurisdiction—but the basic framework remains in place.
“Peaceful protest doesn’t trigger HB 1674—but deliberate blockage could. And the law only shields the reasonably afraid who flee with care.”
BOTTOM LINE
It’s no surprise to anyone who knows this state that the Oklahoma City ‘No Kings’ protest remained peaceful. That’s who we are. We can be loud, proud, and passionate—and still keep it civil. We stand firm in our beliefs, but we don’t lose sight of our neighbors in the process.
Out here in western Oklahoma, we may not all see the world the same way, but we still wave from the road, share a table when it counts, and make room for each other in ways that matter. That kind of neighborly grit and quiet strength isn’t just part of our culture—it’s what keeps our communities together. And that’s something worth holding on to, even when the rest of the country seems ready to tear itself apart.
