On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed HB445, a bill that increases criminal liability and penalties for those who incite or participate in various elements of rioting.
The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris), who recently retired from a 31-year-long law enforcement career and was formerly an assistant police chief for the City of Birmingham. The legislation was vigorously opposed by Democrat House members, including State Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham), who had pointed comments about Treadaway’s character, reportedly referring to him as a “racist” and “white supremacist.”
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” Treadaway discussed the backlash, including Moore’s remarks. He said he wasn’t really surprised by the level of opposition, which he chalked up to be a sign of the times.
“It seems we’re living in a time if you don’t agree with somebody, and you’re white — you’re a racist,” he said. “And that exchange I wish would not have happened. I’d been on the House floor for several hours, and Representative Moore was at the mic, and the kids back at home were blowing my phone up. I didn’t know what was going on, so I looked at it a couple of times. She seemed to be upset with that and wanted me to show her respect. My comment was, ‘You know, if you want respect, then every time I pass you in the hallway or you pass the media, don’t call me a racist. Don’t call me a white supremacist.’ I worked 31 years in the civil rights capital of the world, and I’ve built great relationships with a very diverse group of folks. And I’ve served and protected folks, and not one time in 31 years have I been called that. But when you disagree today, that’s a way to shut you up, or attempt to shut you up is to call you a racist or white supremacist.”
“I don’t buy it and in 16 years of serving as a representative, I have never disrespected her and have always been cordial and polite,” Treadaway continued. “Unfortunately, it happened on the House floor and I apologize for that. But it did happen and them type of attacks are going to sway me from what I believe is a good piece of legislation. It not only protects public safety, but it protects citizens and it protects protesters. It’s a good piece of legislation and when it breaks down — my question to anybody is you start looting, burning and assaulting folks including public safety — then at that time, at that time this kicks in. It’s going to be more severe than it has in past and it is going to add some areas and tools in the toolbox law enforcement did not have in the past.”
The legislation now will be carried in the Alabama Senate by State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville), where it is also anticipated to have broad support.
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
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