Criminalizing Dissent: The Think Tank Behind 'Civil Terrorism' Laws

The Manhattan Institute's push to reclassify minor protest activities as 'civil terrorism' represents a significant escalation in efforts to criminalize legitimate dissent and suppress protected political speech. By redefining nonviolent civil disobedience—blocking roads, trespassing during demonstrations—as terrorism, policymakers gain legal tools to prosecute constitutionally protected activism. This case demonstrates how influential institutions can shape legislative agendas to fundamentally restrict citizens' rights to assembly and expression.