States Label Protests 'Civil Terrorism'

State legislatures in Arizona and Utah are proposing laws that elevate disruptive protest tactics (for example, coordinated road‑blocking) into a category called 'civil terrorism,' increasing penalties and reframing certain nonviolent but disruptive actions as terrorism‑adjacent crimes. Supporters argue this updates statutes to deter dangerous disruptions; critics say the label risks chilling lawful protest and expands policing discretion. — If adopted more widely, this legal framing could normalize treating coordinated civil disobedience as terrorism, shifting enforcement, litigation, and political speech norms at the state level.