Good compilation here. I sure can understand the frustration of the drivers.
But sooner or later one of those idiot protesters is going to slip and fall under the wheels of a moving vehicle. Crunch. Then what?
Anyone who blocks a road should be 100% liable for what might happen. But it will all depend on the jurisdiction. Do any laws protect the driver? If not, expect a call from the DA. And also expect a call from a personal injury lawyer.
It’s a real mess.
Once again my Supergovernor comes through for his people.
“Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated individuals in Florida have the right to use their vehicles to defend themselves against protesters if they feel threatened.”
In some circumstances, I would think charges for unlawful imprisonment would be in order. Perhaps those who organize and pay for these agitators could be investigate for possible conspiracy. The local government could try to take action but the feds have deeper pockets and could start shutting off the cash flow. Heck, it’s probably tax payer money funding this crap.
Yes. It should be the person blocking traffic who assumes the fault, the way a driver hitting another vehicle from behind is automatically at fault.
Be polite. Ask them to move but be polite. If they still won’t move, get another drive and you both be polite. If they continue doing it, punch them in the face, drag them off the road and break the legs. But be polite.
In my humble opinion, if you are blocking traffic for kicks and grins you should be considered as "asking for it". Most people are disinclined to just run you over however accidents, as you point out, will happen.
For my part I would and have attempted to go around usually. However there was a time when I laid on the horn and hit the gas while my passenger fired a warning shot. Necessity sometimes exist.
We have already seen what happens next, and we have seen it multiple times now.
Regardless of circumstances, the driver gets arrested and prosecuted. Maybe they get acquitted. Then there is a civil suit with a substantial claim for damages. Maybe the civil suit loses or gets dismissed. But "The process is the punishment". In all possible outcomes, the driver will lose a lot of time and money at the very least. Note that there are always worse outcomes than losing time and money.
The pathways that avoid death or injury to the driver are the better ones.
These "mostly peaceful protests" only happen in areas where the authorities tacitly (or sometimes explicitly) support them. Justice is not the way to bet and should not be a consideration in choosing what to do next.