Think Tank Pushes to Reclassify Minor Protest Offenses as Felony 'Civil Terrorism'
New York, Tuesday, 2 June 2026.
The Manhattan Institute is lobbying state legislatures to reclassify minor protest disruptions into felony ‘civil terrorism’ charges carrying up to 18 months in prison.
Redefining Public Disruption as ‘Civil Terrorism’
The Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank cofounded in 1978 by former CIA director William Casey, is executing a coordinated campaign to fundamentally alter how states prosecute public protests [1]. The organization is drafting and promoting state-level legislation designed to reclassify minor protest-related offenses—such as trespassing, vandalism, and the obstruction of roadways—from misdemeanors to felonies [1]. Under these proposed frameworks, individuals convicted of such infractions could face up to 18-month prison sentences, dramatically increasing the legal liabilities associated with public demonstrations [1].
State-Level Implementation and Legislative Timelines
This theoretical groundwork has already materialized into implemented policy. In Utah, lawmakers introduced model bill HB 331 in January 2026 [1]. The legislation, which bans masks at protests and significantly increases penalties for civil disruptions, was signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox on March 24, 2026 [1]. This marks a definitive shift from legislative intent to active enforcement, altering the operational risk calculus for organizations managing public-facing events or large-scale corporate operations in the state [GPT].
Corporate Risk and First Amendment Concerns
For corporate risk managers and legal departments, the aggressive reclassification of protest activities introduces complex compliance and public relations variables. Civil liberties advocates warn that the legislation threatens constitutional protections. Arizona State Senator Catherine Miranda characterized the push as an ‘attack on all our First Amendment rights,’ explicitly designed to create a chilling effect on free speech and the right to assemble [1]. Similarly, Darrell Hill, policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona, argued the effort aligns with narratives pushed by the Trump administration to equate left-wing protests with extremism [1].
The Broader Political Landscape in Mid-2026
This legislative push against public demonstrations arrives amid a highly active season for civic engagement. Current grassroots activities include ongoing anti-ICE protests at facilities like Delaney Hall in New Jersey [2], and climate and immigrant advocacy rallies organized by groups such as Climate Families NYC outside public school administrative offices [4]. As states weigh the Manhattan Institute’s model bills, the friction between public activism and state law enforcement continues to escalate.